The Kural · Chapter
LXXI: Judging by Looks explained
This chapter extols the virtue of reading a person's inner thoughts and intentions through their facial expressions and eyes, emphasizing that such discernment is a divine quality and essential for wise counsel.
What happens
This chapter extols the virtue of reading a person's inner thoughts and intentions through their facial expressions and eyes, emphasizing that such discernment is a divine quality and essential for wise counsel.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the narrative shifts from external conflict to an internal, e…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Social Harmony and Ethics
Emphasizes the ethical importance of reading others' intentions to maintain trust and harmony in society.
- Statecraft and Governance
Advises rulers to surround themselves with perceptive advisors who can discern truth without words.
Characters to notice
- Thiruvalluvar
Author of the Kural verses on judging character by looks.
- the Kural
The text being expounded in this chapter.
Key passages
“Behold the man who divineth what is in the mind before the voice uttereth it: he is an ornament unto all the world.”
The person who can understand your thoughts before you speak is a treasure to everyone.
Highlights the value of intuitive understanding.
“Even as the crystal changeth and assumeth the colour of that which is near, even so doth the face alter and show that which overfloweth the heart.”
Just as a crystal takes on the color of whatever is next to it, the face reveals the emotions within the heart.
Metaphor for the transparency of facial expressions.
