# The Kural — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Kural by Thiruvalluvar.

- [Thiruvalluvar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/thiruvalluvar.md): This chapter recounts the life and times of the Tamil poet-saint Thiruvalluvar, focusing on his marriage to Vāsuki, their ideal domestic life, her death, and his subsequent renunciation. It also discusses the scant histo
- [The Kural](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/the-kural.md): This chapter introduces the structure of Thiruvalluvar's Kural, which is divided into three parts: Righteousness, Politics, and Love. It notes that while Hindu tradition recognizes four objectives of life, Thiruvalluvar 
- [Part I—Righteousness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/part-i-righteousness.md): This part introduces the overarching theme of righteousness as the foundation of life, divided into the householder's duties and the ascetic's discipline. The first 19 chapters cover virtues for family and social life, w
- [Part II—Wealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/part-ii-wealth.md): The author introduces the second part of the Kural, focused on politics and statecraft, which he titles 'Wealth' following the tradition of Kauṭilya and the Mahābhārata. He explains that wealth requires stable government
- [Part III—Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/part-iii-love.md): The poet turns to the third objective of life, Love, presenting a romance of a single couple from first meeting to reunion after separation. The narrative includes accidental meeting in a grove, secret marriage, the 'rid

> 149 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=the_kural_se_722kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [The Verse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/the-verse.md)
- [Parimêlajahar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/parim-lajahar.md)
- [The Kural](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/the-kural.md)
- [I: In Praise of the Lord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/i-in-praise-of-the-lord.md)
- [II: In Praise of Rain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/ii-in-praise-of-rain.md)
- [III: The Greatness of Those Who Have Renounced the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/iii-the-greatness-of-those-who-have-renounced-the-world.md)
- [IV: The Glorification of Righteousness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/iv-the-glorification-of-righteousness.md)
- [Part I: Righteousness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/part-i-righteousness.md)
- [Section I: The Life of the Householder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/section-i-the-life-of-the-householder.md)
- [Family Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/v-family-life.md)
- [VI: The Blessings of a Good Helpmate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/vi-the-blessings-of-a-good-helpmate.md)
- [VII: Offspring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/vii-offspring.md)
- [Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/viii-love.md)
- [IX: Hospitality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/ix-hospitality.md)
- [X: Kindness of Speech](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/x-kindness-of-speech.md)
- [XI: Gratitude](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xi-gratitude.md)
- [XII: Uprightness of Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xii-uprightness-of-heart.md)
- [Self-Control](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xiii-self-control.md)
- [XIV: Purity of Conduct](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xiv-purity-of-conduct.md)
- [XV: Non-Desiring of Another Man’s Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xv-non-desiring-of-another-man-s-wife.md)
- [XVI: Forgiveness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xvi-forgiveness.md)
- [XVII: Non-Envying](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xvii-non-envying.md)
- [XVIII: Non-Coveting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xviii-non-coveting.md)
- [XIX: Refraining from Slander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xix-refraining-from-slander.md)
- [XX: Refraining from Vain Speaking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xx-refraining-from-vain-speaking.md)
- [XXI: Fear of Evildoing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxi-fear-of-evildoing.md)
- [XXII: Complaisance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxii-complaisance.md)
- [Charity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxiii-charity.md)
- [Glory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxiv-glory.md)
- [Section II: The Life of the Ascetic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/section-ii-the-life-of-the-ascetic.md)
- [Subdivision A: Discipline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/subdivision-a-discipline.md)
- [Mercy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxv-mercy.md)
- [XXVI: Abjuring of Flesh-Meat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxvi-abjuring-of-flesh-meat.md)
- [XXVII: Tapas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxvii-tapas.md)
- [XXVIII: Imposture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxviii-imposture.md)
- [XXIX: Abstaining from Fraud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxix-abstaining-from-fraud.md)
- [XXX: Truthfulness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxx-truthfulness.md)
- [XXXI: Abstaining from Anger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxxi-abstaining-from-anger.md)
- [XXXII: Non-Injuring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxxii-non-injuring.md)
- [Non-Killing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxxiii-non-killing.md)
- [Subdivision B: Wisdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/subdivision-b-wisdom.md)
- [XXXIV: The Vanity of All Things](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-vanity-of-all-things.md)
- [XXXV: Renunciation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxxv-renunciation.md)
- [Realisation of the Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxxvi-realisation-of-the-truth.md)
- [XXXVII: The Killing of Desire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-killing-of-desire.md)
- [XXXVIII: Destiny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxxviii-destiny.md)
- [Part II: Wealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/part-ii-wealth.md)
- [Section I: The Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/section-i-the-prince.md)
- [XXXIX: The Qualifications of the Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxxix-the-qualifications-of-the-prince.md)
- [Learning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xl-learning.md)
- [XLI: The Neglecting of Instruction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xli-the-neglecting-of-instruction.md)
- [XLII: Listening to the Instruction of the Wise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xlii-listening-to-the-instruction-of-the-wise.md)
- [XLIII: The Understanding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xliii-the-understanding.md)
- [XLIV: Eschewing of Faults](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xliv-eschewing-of-faults.md)
- [XLV: Courting the Friendship of the Worthy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xlv-courting-the-friendship-of-the-worthy.md)
- [XLVI: Keeping Aloof from Vulgar Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xlvi-keeping-aloof-from-vulgar-company.md)
- [XLVII: Deliberation Before Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xlvii-deliberation-before-action.md)
- [XLVIII: Judging of Strength](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xlviii-judging-of-strength.md)
- [XLIX: Judging the Opportune Moment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xlix-judging-the-opportune-moment.md)
- [Judging of Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/l-judging-of-place.md)
- [LI: Testing of Men for Confidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/li-testing-of-men-for-confidence.md)
- [LII: Testing and Employment of Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lii-testing-and-employment-of-men.md)
- [LIII: Cherishing of Kindred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/liii-cherishing-of-kindred.md)
- [LIV: Guarding Against Insouciance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/liv-guarding-against-insouciance.md)
- [LV: Just Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lv-just-government.md)
- [LVI: Tyranny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lvi-tyranny.md)
- [LVII: Abstaining from Deeds That Cause Trepidation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lvii-abstaining-from-deeds-that-cause-trepidation.md)
- [LVIII: Considerateness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lviii-considerateness.md)
- [LIX: The Service of Intelligence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lix-the-service-of-intelligence.md)
- [LX: Energy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lx-energy.md)
- [LXI: Abstention from Sloth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxi-abstention-from-sloth.md)
- [LXII: Manly Exertion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxii-manly-exertion.md)
- [LXIII: Intrepidity in the Face of Misfortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxiii-intrepidity-in-the-face-of-misfortune.md)
- [Section II: The Members of the Body Politic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/section-ii-the-members-of-the-body-politic.md)
- [LXIV: The Councillor of State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxiv-the-councillor-of-state.md)
- [LXV: Eloquence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxv-eloquence.md)
- [LXVI: Purity of Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxvi-purity-of-action.md)
- [LXVII: Decision of Character](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxvii-decision-of-character.md)
- [LXVIII: The Conduct of Affairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxviii-the-conduct-of-affairs.md)
- [LXIX: The Ambassador](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxix-the-ambassador.md)
- [LXX: Comporting Oneself Before Princes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxx-comporting-oneself-before-princes.md)
- [LXXI: Judging by Looks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxi-judging-by-looks.md)
- [LXXII: Judging of the Audience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxii-judging-of-the-audience.md)
- [LXXIII: Self-Confidence Before an Audience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxiii-self-confidence-before-an-audience.md)
- [LXXIV: The Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxiv-the-country.md)
- [LXXV: Fortresses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxv-fortresses.md)
- [LXXVI: The Acquisition of Wealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxvi-the-acquisition-of-wealth.md)
- [LXXVII: The Characteristics of the Army](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxvii-the-characteristics-of-the-army.md)
- [LXXVIII: The Self-Abandon of the Warrior](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-self-abandon-of-the-warrior.md)
- [LXXIX: Friendship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxix-friendship.md)
- [LXXX: Testing of Fitness for Friendship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxx-testing-of-fitness-for-friendship.md)
- [LXXXI: Intimacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxxi-intimacy.md)
- [LXXXII: The Friendship That Injureth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxxii-the-friendship-that-injureth.md)
- [LXXXIII: False Friendship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxxiii-false-friendship.md)
- [LXXXIV: Folly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxxiv-folly.md)
- [LXXXV: Conceited Folly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxxv-conceited-folly.md)
- [LXXXVI: The Defiant Spirit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxxvi-the-defiant-spirit.md)
- [LXXXVII: The Characteristics of Enemies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxxvii-the-characteristics-of-enemies.md)
- [LXXXVIII: The Appraising of Enemies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxxviii-the-appraising-of-enemies.md)
- [LXXXIX: The Traitor in the Camp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxxix-the-traitor-in-the-camp.md)
- [XC: Refraining from Offending the Great Ones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xc-refraining-from-offending-the-great-ones.md)
- [XCI: Submission to Wife Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xci-submission-to-wife-government.md)
- [XCII: Prostitutes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xcii-prostitutes.md)
- [XCIII: Abstaining from Drink](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xciii-abstaining-from-drink.md)
- [XCIV: Gambling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xciv-gambling.md)
- [Medicine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xcv-medicine.md)
- [Section III: Miscellaneous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/section-iii-miscellaneous.md)
- [XCVI: Respectability of Birth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xcvi-respectability-of-birth.md)
- [XCVII: Honour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xcvii-honour.md)
- [XCVIII: Greatness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xcviii-greatness.md)
- [XCIX: Worth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xcix-worth.md)
- [C: Courteousness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/c-courteousness.md)
- [CI: The Wealth That Is Not Put to Good Use](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/ci-the-wealth-that-is-not-put-to-good-use.md)
- [CII: Sensitiveness to Shame](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cii-sensitiveness-to-shame.md)
- [CIII: Advancing the Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/ciii-advancing-the-family.md)
- [CIV: Husbandry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/civ-husbandry.md)
- [CV: Indigence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cv-indigence.md)
- [CVI: Begging](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cvi-begging.md)
- [CVII: The Dread of Beggary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cvii-the-dread-of-beggary.md)
- [CVIII: The Degraded Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cviii-the-degraded-life.md)
- [Part III: Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/part-iii-love.md)
- [Section I: The Secret Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/section-i-the-secret-marriage.md)
- [CIX: The Wound That Beauty Inflicteth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cix-the-wound-that-beauty-inflicteth.md)
- [CX: Reading of the Heart by Signs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cx-reading-of-the-heart-by-signs.md)
- [CXI: In Praise of the Union](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxi-in-praise-of-the-union.md)
- [CXII: In Praise of Her Beauty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxii-in-praise-of-her-beauty.md)
- [CXIII: The Glorification of Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxiii-the-glorification-of-love.md)
- [CXIV: Overpassing the Bounds of Decorum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxiv-overpassing-the-bounds-of-decorum.md)
- [CXV: The Public Humour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxv-the-public-humour.md)
- [Section II: Chastity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/section-ii-chastity.md)
- [CXVI: The Pangs of Separation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxvi-the-pangs-of-separation.md)
- [CXVII: Bewailing the Pangs of Separation and Pining Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxvii-bewailing-the-pangs-of-separation-and-pining-away.md)
- [CXVIII: The Wasting of the Eyes Through Wistful Longing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxviii-the-wasting-of-the-eyes-through-wistful-longing.md)
- [CXIX: Bewailing the Pallor of Pining Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxix-bewailing-the-pallor-of-pining-love.md)
- [CXX: Anguish of Heart That the Husband Feeleth Not as Oneself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxx-anguish-of-heart-that-the-husband-feeleth-not-as-oneself.md)
- [CXXI: Sighing for the Absent One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxi-sighing-for-the-absent-one.md)
- [CXXII: In Praise of the Dream-State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxii-in-praise-of-the-dream-state.md)
- [CXXIII: Sighing at the Approach of Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxiii-sighing-at-the-approach-of-evening.md)
- [CXXIV: The Wasting Away of Her Lovely Form](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxiv-the-wasting-away-of-her-lovely-form.md)
- [CXXV: Addressing One’s Own Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxv-addressing-one-s-own-heart.md)
- [CXXVI: The Losing of the Sense of a Dignified Reserve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxvi-the-losing-of-the-sense-of-a-dignified-reserve.md)
- [CXXVII: The Longing of the Lovers to Meet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxvii-the-longing-of-the-lovers-to-meet.md)
- [CXXVIII: Reading the Secret Thought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxviii-reading-the-secret-thought.md)
- [CXXIX: The Impatience of the Pair to Fly to Each Other’s Arms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxix-the-impatience-of-the-pair-to-fly-to-each-other-s-arms.md)
- [CXXX: Chiding the Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxx-chiding-the-heart.md)
- [CXXXI: Bouderie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxxi-bouderie.md)
- [CXXXII: The Finesses of Bouderie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxxii-the-finesses-of-bouderie.md)
- [CXXXIII: The Charm of Bouderie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/cxxxiii-the-charm-of-bouderie.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/endnotes.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_kural_se/chapters