PrepMaticThirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · பாயிரவியல்
அறன் வலியுறுத்தல்: Assertion of the Strength of Virtue
About this chapter
அறன் வலியுறுத்தல் is the last chapter of the prologue. It states the case for virtue (அறம்) before the work turns to household life: nothing gains a person more than virtue, and nothing loses more than forgetting it.
Kurals 31 and 32 make this claim in terms of gain and loss. Kural 33 asks for ceaseless practice by whatever means one can, and Kural 34 says what virtue really is: a mind free from stain, with all else being show. Kural 35 names four stains to avoid: envy (அழுக்காறு), desire (அவா), anger (வெகுளி) and harsh speech (இன்னாச்சொல்). Kural 36 warns against putting virtue off until later, and Kural 37 points to the rider and bearer of a palanquin as a visible picture of virtue's reward. Kural 38 says that some good done each day lays a stone across the road to future suffering. Kural 39 holds that only pleasure born of virtue is worth the name, and Kural 40 gives the shortest definition: virtue is what ought to be done, vice is what ought to be shunned.
Kural 34 and Kural 36 are the two most worth learning. The first places virtue in the mind rather than in display, and the second is a standing reminder to act now.
For the syllabus, the chapter is a good anchor for universal values, since it defines virtue by character rather than by ritual or rank.
The 10 kurals of அறன் வலியுறுத்தல்
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
சிறப்புஈனும் செல்வமும் ஈனும் அறத்தினூஉங்கு
ஆக்கம் எவனோ உயிர்க்கு.
Sirappu Eenum Selvamum Eenum
Araththinooungu Aakkam Evano Uyirkku
It yields distinction, yields prosperity; what gainGreater than virtue can a living man obtain
அறத்தினூஉங்கு ஆக்கமும் இல்லை அதனை
மறத்தலின் ஊங்கில்லை கேடு.
Araththinooungu Aakkamum Illai Adhanai
Maraththalin Oongillai Ketu
No greater gain than virtue aught can cause; No greater loss than life oblivious of her laws
ஒல்லும் வகையான் அறவினை ஓவாதே
செல்லும்வாய் எல்லாஞ் செயல்.
Ollum Vakaiyaan Aravinai Ovaadhe
Sellumvaai Ellaanj Cheyal
To finish virtue's work with ceaseless effort strive, What way thou may'st, where'er thou see'st the work may thrive
மனத்துக்கண் மாசிலன் ஆதல் அனைத்தறன்
ஆகுல நீர பிற.
Manaththukkan Maasilan Aadhal Anaiththu
Aran Aakula Neera Pira
Spotless be thou in mind! This only merits virtue's name; All else, mere pomp of idle sound, no real worth can claim
அழுக்காறு அவாவெகுளி இன்னாச்சொல் நான்கும்
இழுக்கா இயன்றது அறம்.
Azhukkaaru Avaavekuli Innaachchol Naankum
Izhukkaa Iyandradhu Aram
'Tis virtue when, his footsteps sliding not through envy, wrath, Lust, evil speech-these four, man onwards moves in ordered path
அன்றறிவாம் என்னாது அறஞ்செய்க மற்றது
பொன்றுங்கால் பொன்றாத் துணை.
Andrarivaam Ennaadhu Aranjeyka Matradhu
Pondrungaal Pondraath Thunai
Do deeds of virtue now Say not, 'To-morrow we'll be wise'; Thus, when thou diest, shalt thou find a help that never dies
அறத்தாறு இதுவென வேண்டா சிவிகை
பொறுத்தானோடு ஊர்ந்தான் இடை.
Araththaaru Ithuvena Ventaa Sivikai
Poruththaanotu Oorndhaan Itai
Needs not in words to dwell on virtue's fruits: compareThe man in litter borne with them that toiling bear
வீழ்நாள் படாஅமை நன்றாற்றின் அஃதொருவன்
வாழ்நாள் வழியடைக்கும் கல்.
Veezhnaal Pataaamai Nandraatrin Aqdhoruvan
Vaazhnaal Vazhiyataikkum Kal
If no day passing idly, good to do each day you toil, A stone it will be to block the way of future days of moil
அறத்தான் வருவதே இன்பம் மற்றெல்லாம்
புறத்த புகழும் இல.
Araththaan Varuvadhe Inpam Mar
Rellaam Puraththa Pukazhum Ila
What from virtue floweth, yieldeth dear delight; All else extern, is void of glory's light
செயற்பால தோரும் அறனே ஒருவற்கு
உயற்பால தோரும் பழி.
Seyarpaala Thorum Arane Oruvarku
Uyarpaala Thorum Pazhi
'Virtue' sums the things that should be done;'Vice' sums the things that man should shun
How Thirukkural is asked in TNPSC exams
Find your weak TNPSC units before the exam does
Take a free TNPSC assessment on PrepMatic. It shows where you stand across General Tamil, General Studies and Aptitude, then builds a day-by-day study plan and mock tests focused on your weak subjects.
Start free assessment →Free forever plan · No credit card · 2-minute setup