Following is the translation of Thirukkural, a discourse on ethics, its author is Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar who lived around 3rd Century. It’s translation is done by Mr. NV Subbaraman, he lives in Chennai.

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Original

அறிவற்றம் காக்கும் கருவி; செறுவார்க்கும்

உள்ளழிக்கல் ஆகா அறம்.

Pronunciation

Arivatram kaakkum karuvi seruvaarkkum

ULLazhikkal aakaa aram.

Translation

Wisdom wards off woes

Weapon that guards like a fort

Keeps away the foes!

Comment

Wisdom helps to come out of all woes. It is a great fortress that protects us from the foes and enemies.

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Original

சென்ற இடத்தால் செலவிடா தீதுஒரீஇ

நன்றின்பால் உய்ப்பது அறிவு.

Pronunciation

Sendra idaththaal selavidaa theedhu ore

Nandrinpaal uyppadhu arivu.

Translation

Knowledge keeps control

Over senses that stray, – saves

And guides in the world!

Comment

Wisdom helps control the senses that go astray, saves us from wrong doings, and guides us in the righteous path.

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Original

எப்பொருள் யார்யார்வாய்க் கேட்பினும் அப்பொருள்

மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்பது அறிவு.

Pronunciation

EpporuL yaaryaarvaayk kaetpinum apporuL

MeypporuL kaaNbadhu arivu.

Translation

Wise it is to grasp

The truth from all we hear

Success sure they clasp!

Comment

Whatever we hear from others we are not to take it on the face of it, but find out the truth and accept and that indeed is wisdom.

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Original

எண்பொருள வாகச் செலச்சொல்லித் தான்பிறர் வாய்

நுண்பொருள் காண்பது அறிவு.

Pronunciation

ENporuLa vaaga selachchollith than pirar vaay

NuNporuL kaaNbadhu arivu.

Translation

Wisdom lies in words

Said and understood subtle

And clear, wins the worlds!

Comment

Wisdom lies in speaking with clarity and listening understanding even subtle matters clearly and that helps in success in the world.

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Original

உலகம் தழீஇயது ஒட்பம்; மலர்தலும்

கூம்பலும் இல்லது அறிவு.

Pronunciation

Ulagam thazheeyadhu otpam; malardhalum

Kumbalum illadhu arivu.

Translation

Wisdom makes friendship

With the wise and noble that

Never blooms or glooms!

Comment

Wisdom helps in choosing right type of friends with the wise and noble and it does not blossom or wither away but remains constant.

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Original

எவ்வது உறைவது உலகம்:; உலகத்தோடு

அவ்வது உறைவது அறிவு.

Pronunciation

Evvadhu uraivadhu ulagam; ulagaththoadu

Avvadhu urauvadhu arivu.

Translation

Wisdom demands life

As lived by the great and good

Go with their tenets nice!

Comment

Wisdom lies in following the footsteps of the great and noble and organize life and living as per their advice.

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Original

அறிவுடையார் ஆவது அறிவார்; அறிவிலார்

அஃதுஅறி கல்லா தவர்.

Pronunciation

Arivudaiyaar aavadhu arivaar; arivilaar

Ahudharivu kallaa thavar.

Translation

The wise can foresee

And guard from future dangers

Fools cannot and grieve!

Comment

People with wisdom can foresee the things to come including problems, woes and risks and guard themselves from the onslaught whereas  fools can never.

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Original

அஞ்சுவது அஞ்சாமை பேதைமை; அஞ்சுவது

அஞ்சல் அறிவார் தொழில்.

Pronunciation

Anjuvadhu anjaamai paedhaimai; anjuvadhu

Anjal arivaar thozhil.

Translation

Foolish not to fear

Things to be feared; wise do

Shed not a tear!

Comment

It is foolish not to fear the really fearful things; the wise take care of it and never grieve.

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Original

எதிரதாக் காக்கும் அறிவிலார்க்கு இல்லை

அதிர வருவதோர் நோய்.

Pronunciation

Edhiradhaak kaakkum arivilaarkku illai

Adhira varuvadhoar noay.

Translation

Future holds no shocks

As the wise foresee and guard

Others face the knocks!

Comment

The wise who can see and anticipate the shocks of the future and prepare themselves will have no grief.

                                                                              ~*~

Original

அறிவுடையார் எல்லாம் உடையார்; அறிவிலார்

என்னுடைய ரேனும் இலர்.

Pronunciation

Arivudaiyaar ellaam udaiyaar; arivilaar

Ennudaiya raenum ilar.

Translation

The wise have it all

Though none; fools have none with all

Sure the wise stand tall!

Comment

The wise people have everything on earth even though they have nothing in fact; fools have practically nothing even if they have all.