• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

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
  • About
  • Speaking & Teaching
  • Events
  • News & Poems
  • Cozy Grammar
  • Contact

Kural 637: The Kural on Knowledge and Ecology

September 20, 2022

A verse on action and the nature of the world.

637
Even one who knows action must act knowing
The nature of the world

செயற்கை அறிந்தக் கடைத்தும் உலகத்
தியற்கை அறிந்து செயல்

From chapter 64, “Ministers.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

Kural 571: The Kural on Compassion

September 13, 2022

A verse on how Tiruvalluvar speaks of compassion and leadership.

571
The astonishing beauty of eyes that are moved—because
It exists this world exists

கண்ணோட்டம் என்னும் கழிபெருங் காரிகை
உண்மையான் உண்டிவ் வுலகு

From chapter 58, “Eyes that are Moved.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

Kural 158: The Kural on the Art of Forbearance

September 6, 2022

A verse on overcoming arrogance with one’s own innate goodness.

158
To overpower arrogant insolence practice
Inborn patience

மிகுதியான் மிக்கவை செய்தாரைத் தாந்தம்
தகுதியான் வென்று விடல்

From chapter 16, “Forbearance.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

Kural 786: The Kural on Friendship

August 30, 2022

A verse on the heart of true friends and friendship.

786
Friendship is not a face smiling—friendship
Is a heart that smiles

முகநக நட்பது நட்பன்று நெஞ்சத்
தகநக நட்பது நட்பு

From chapter 79, “Friendship.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

Kural 108: The Kural on Gratitude

August 23, 2022

A verse on gratitude, memory, and the art of forgetting.

108
Forgetting good done is not good—forgetting at once
What is not good—good

நன்றி மறப்பது நன்றன்று நன்றல்லது
அன்றே மறப்பது நன்று

From chapter 11, “Gratitude.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

Kural 1094: The Kural on Young Love

August 16, 2022

What a poem and poetry can show us. A verse on looking and longing.

1094
When I look she looks at the ground—when I don’t
She looks smiling softly

யான்நோக்கும் காலை நிலன்நோக்கும் நோக்காக்கால்
தான்நோக்கி மெல்ல நகும்

From chapter 110, “Knowing Signs.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

Kural 668: The Kural on Clarity of Action

August 9, 2022

Thiruvalluvar and Antonio Machado on seeing clearly and acting.

668
Enact without waiting or wavering
Each action seen clearly

கலங்காது கண்ட வினைக்கண் துளங்காது
தூக்கங் கடிந்து செயல்

From chapter 67, “Firmness of Action.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

Kural 102: The Kural on Helping Others in Need

August 2, 2022

Help doesn’t have to be big to be big. A verse on helping in time.

102
Even if small help given in time—far
Far larger than the world

காலத்தி னாற்செய்த நன்றி சிறிதெனினும்
ஞாலத்தின் மாணப் பெரிது

From chapter 11, “Gratitude.”

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

More about the book
I’d like a copy!

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to page 5
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 18
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Search for Topics

Sign Up for Updates

Receive notices about new releases, courses, and other special events.

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, please click here to sign up.

Otherwise, please fill out the form below. Thank you!

Search by Category

  • Announcements
  • Avvaiyar
  • Body and Earth
  • Interviews
  • Kural Conversations
  • Kural Videos
  • Talks & Presentations
  • The Kural
  • The Safety of Edges
  • Videos
  • Writings
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn