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Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma

author, poet, teacher, and performer

  • Books
    • THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
    • The Safety of Edges
    • Give, Eat, and Live: Poems of Avvaiyar
    • Body and Earth
    • A Feast for the Tongue
    • Juan Rulfo’s Pedro Páramo
    • Other Writings
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Kural 468: The Kural on Right Action

May 24, 2022

A verse on clarity before action and right effort.

468
Without right effort all effort miscarries
Even with many who care

ஆற்றின் வருந்தா வருத்தம் பலர்நின்று
போற்றினும் பொத்துப் படும்

From chapter 47, “Clarity Before Action.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston

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VOCE Dialogue with Chloë Goodchild

May 23, 2022

I was delighted to discuss compassion, poetry, the Tirukkural, leadership, voice, silence, and much more with the wonderful Chloë Goodchild on her VOCE Dialogues Podcast.

You can listen to the podcast by way of this link:

https://podcast.chloegoodchild.com/411616/10598385-ep-39-thomas-hitoshi-pruiksma-author-poet-translator-teacher

Chloë is the founder of The Naked Voice, a pioneering experiential vocal training programme, providing a sound awareness toolkit of conscious core practices, music, audio-books and spoken meditations that empower you to find and to embody your authentic voice.

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Kural 545: The Kural on Leadership and Abundance

May 17, 2022

A verse on good governance and the abundance of the earth.

545
Where kings rule as wisdom decrees
Rain and harvest abound

இயல்புளிக் கோலோச்சும் மன்னவன் நாட்ட
பெயலும் விளையுளும் தொக்கு

From chapter 55, “Good Rule.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston

More about the book
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Kural 401: Tiruvalluvar on Knowledge and Leadership

May 10, 2022

A verse on what we need to address the wise.

401
Addressing the wise without knowing books—like playing
At chess with no board

அரங்கின்றி வட்டாடி யற்றே நிரம்பிய
நூலின்றிக் கோட்டி கொளல்

From chapter 41, “Lack of Learning.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston

More about the book
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Kural 490: Tiruvalluvar on Patience

May 3, 2022

A verse on waiting for the right moment, along with a verse from Avvaiyar.

490
Wait like the crane that waits—and strike like the crane
When right

கொக்கொக்க கூம்பும் பருவத்து மற்றதன்
குத்தொக்க சீர்த்த இடத்து

From chapter 49, “Knowing Time.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston

More about the book
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Kural 787: Tiruvalluvar on Friendship

April 26, 2022

A verse on how friends stay with you through hard times, along with a verse from Avvaiyar.

787
Friendship averts trouble shows the way and when
Trouble comes stays

அழிவி னவைநீக்கி ஆறுய்த் தழிவின்கண்
அல்லல் உழப்பதாம் நட்பு

From chapter 79, “Friendship.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston

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Kural 653: Tiruvalluvar on Integrity, Greatness, and Light

April 19, 2022

A verse on becoming all of who we truly are.

653
Steer clear of all deeds that dim light—you
Who would keep becoming

ஒஓதல் வேண்டும் ஒளிமாழ்கும் செய்வினை
ஆஅதும் என்னு மவர்

From chapter 66, “Purity of Action.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston

More about the book
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Kural 435: Tiruvalluvar on Leadership and Foresight

April 12, 2022

A verse on leaders and acting in advance: “Prevention is better than cure.”

435
The life of a king who won’t guard beforehand
Falls like a haystack before fire

வருமுன்னர்க் காவாதான் வாழ்க்கை எரிமுன்னர்
வைத்தூறு போலக் கெடும்

From chapter 44, “Elimination of Faults.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston

More about the book
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