நெஞ்சோடு புலத்தல்
Expostulation with Oneself
Read all ten original Tamil couplets from this chapter with clear, modern interpretations for everyday learning.
Kurals
1291–1300
Reading
10 couplets
Section
காமத்துப்பால்
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Tamil + modern meaning
Kural 1291
1 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
அவர்நெஞ்சு அவர்க்காதல் கண்டும் எவன்நெஞ்சே
நீஎமக்கு ஆகா தது.
Modern interpretation
The heart may keep following someone even after seeing that person is guided only by their own feelings. Someone may continue checking an indifferent person's messages despite knowing that the care is not mutual.
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Kural 1292
2 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
உறாஅ தவர்க்கண்ட கண்ணும் அவரைச்
செறாஅரெனச் சேறியென் நெஞ்சு.
Modern interpretation
The heart may approach someone who does not love us while hoping not to be rejected again. A person may keep texting someone distant, telling themselves that the next reply will be kinder.
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Kural 1293
3 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
கெட்டார்க்கு நட்டார்இல் என்பதோ நெஞ்சேநீ
பெட்டாங்கு அவர்பின் செலல்.
Modern interpretation
Loneliness can make a heart follow an unavailable person as if no other friendship exists. Someone going through a hard time may return to a neglectful partner simply because being alone feels worse.
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Kural 1294
4 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
இனிஅன்ன நின்னொடு சூழ்வார்யார் நெஞ்சே
துனிசெய்து துவ்வாய்காண் மற்று.
Modern interpretation
The heart that cannot sustain a quarrel will not keep its promise to stay angry before a reunion. Someone may ask friends for advice about confronting a partner, then abandon the plan at the first smile.
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Kural 1295
5 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
பெறாஅமை அஞ்சும் பெறின்பிரிவு அஞ்சும்
அறாஅ இடும்பைத்தென் நெஞ்சு.
Modern interpretation
The anxious heart suffers both without a beloved and with one, fearing absence first and another separation next. Someone may miss a partner while away and still worry about losing them during a happy day together.
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Kural 1296
6 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
தனியே இருந்து நினைத்தக்கால் என்னைத்
தினிய இருந்ததென் நெஞ்சு.
Modern interpretation
When left alone with memories, the mind can turn its pain against itself. Someone awake after a breakup may replay every conversation until the thoughts feel unbearable.
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Kural 1297
7 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
நாணும் மறந்தேன் அவர்மறக் கல்லாஎன்
மாணா மடநெஞ்சிற் பட்டு.
Modern interpretation
A heart that cannot forget someone may even make us forget our usual modesty and restraint. A person who promised not to message an ex may send a late-night confession anyway.
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Kural 1298
8 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
எள்ளின் இளிவாம்என்று எண்ணி அவர்திறம்
உள்ளும் உயிர்க்காதல் நெஞ்சு.
Modern interpretation
Love remembers a beloved's good qualities because treating that person with contempt would also diminish the self. Even after a separation, someone may speak respectfully instead of mocking the person they once loved.
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Kural 1299
9 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
துன்பத்திற்கு யாரே துணையாவார் தாமுடைய
நெஞ்சந் துணையல் வழி.
Modern interpretation
When our own heart will not support us in hardship, no outside person can fully take its place. During heartbreak, a person must first allow themselves to feel and comfort their own pain.
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Kural 1300
10 of 10Tamil original · தமிழ்
தஞ்சம் தமரல்லர் ஏதிலார் தாமுடைய
நெஞ்சம் தமரல் வழி.
Modern interpretation
If our own heart feels like a stranger, it is difficult for outsiders to become true refuge. Someone entering a new group may still feel alone when they do not trust or accept themselves.
Read Kural 1300 in full