Back to Library
Kural No. 53 · Virtue (Aram) · Ch 6

The Worth of a Wife

வாழ்க்கைத் துணைநலம்
Original Kural · ஓலைச்சுவடி
இல்லதென் இல்லவள் மாண்பானால் உள்ளதென்
இல்லவள் மாணாக் கடை?

Illadhen Illaval Maanpaanaal Ulladhen / Illaval Maanaak Katai?

Classical English couplet — “There is no lack within the house, where wife in worth excels,There is no luck within the house, where wife dishonoured dwells”

Read this Kural in your own language
Choose from 26 languages · narrated with native voice
A
Simple English Meaning

What it says in plain words

“If his wife be eminent (in virtue), what does (that man) not possess ? If she be without excellence, what does (he) possess ?”

B
எளிய தமிழ் விளக்கம் · Simple Tamil Interpretation

The classical Tamil reading

மனைவி நற்பண்பு உடையவளானால் வாழ்க்கையில் இல்லாதது என்ன? அவள் நற்பண்பு இல்லாதவளானால் வாழ்க்கையில் இருப்பது என்ன?

C
ஆழமான தமிழ் விளக்கம் · Deeper Tamil Commentary

An expanded Tamil interpretation

நல்ல பண்புடைய மனைவி அமைந்த வாழ்க்கையில் எல்லாம் இருக்கும் அப்படியொரு மனைவி அமையாத வாழ்க்கையில் எதுவுமே இருக்காது

AI Companion · Inscribing the English commentary…

Claude is reading the verified Tamil and classical English text and writing the deeper meaning, examples, applications, a leadership lesson and a reflection question. Once, then cached for everyone.

Thirukkural Wisdom

Ancient Tamil wisdom — made simple, practical and useful for the modern world, in your own language.

Disclaimer

This application provides educational explanations of the Thirukkural. English meanings and AI-assisted explanations are intended to make the text easier to understand. Classical texts can have multiple valid interpretations.

Thirukkural Wisdom for the World·Timeless Tamil couplets for global minds·© 2026
Choose your language
Tamil & English are always shown · pick a third language

Every Kural is presented in Tamil and English by default. If you'd like a third language alongside, choose one below. You can change or remove it anytime.

You can change this anytime from the globe button in the header.