Lines by Thiruvalluvar
Thiruvalluvar
திருவள்ளுவர்
Tamil poet · c. 1st c. BCE–5th c.
Thiruvalluvar is the poet of the Tirukkural, 1,330 two-line couplets on virtue, wealth and love. Almost nothing is known of his life, and scholars date the work anywhere from the first centuries BCE to the fifth century CE.
Learn thoroughly what should be learnt; then live by what you have learnt.
கற்க கசடறக் கற்பவை கற்றபின் நிற்க அதற்குத் தக
Tirukkural, couplet 391
Planet-X translation, 2026 · Source (opens the digitised edition in a new tab)
To speak harsh words when kind ones are at hand is like picking unripe fruit when the ripe is there.
இனிய உளவாக இன்னாத கூறல் கனிஇருப்பக் காய்கவர்ந் தற்று
Tirukkural, couplet 100
Planet-X translation, 2026 · Source (opens the digitised edition in a new tab)