It is not easy for all to comprehend the real meaning of Kural at the first reading itself. G. U. Pope, who translated this work into English metric verse a century ago, explains poetically the beauty of Thirukkural thus: Their construction resembles that of a design in a mosaic. The materials fitted together are sometimes mere bits of coloured glasses, but sometimes also very precious stones and pure gold.

Thirukkural was among the earliest of Tamil classics translated by the Christian missionaries. Rev.Fr.Beschi (1700-1742) translated it into Latin. There are also versions of Thirukkural in French by Monsieur Ariel and in German by Dr. Graul. The great attraction of Thirukkural for the missionaries and others has been its ethical content.

The dynamics of Thirukkural has been richly complimented by various scholars. Dr. Albert Schweitzer says, “There hardly exists in the literature of the world a collection of maxims in which we find so much of lofty wisdom.” Mahatma Gandhi calls it ‘a textbook of indispensable authority on moral life’ and goes on to say, “The maxims of Valluvar have touched my soul. There is none who has given such a treasure of wisdom like him.” He has also said that he came to know about Thirukkural from Leo Tolstoy, who had said that the concept of non-violence was taken by him from a German version of the Kural. And so he expressed his desire to learn Tamil so as to study Thirukkural in original. As Sri Aurobindo states, “Thirukkural is gnomic poetry, the greatest in planned conception and force of execution ever written in this kind.” Rajaji says, “It is the gospel of love and a code of soul-luminous life. The whole of human aspiration is epitomized in this immortal book, a book for all ages.”

According to K. M. Munshi, “Thirukkural is a treatise par excellence of the art of living.” It cuts across castes, creeds, climes, ages, etc and has a freshness which makes one feel as if it is meant for the present time. Dr. Zakir Hussain, late president of India, says, “Thirukkural is a treasure house of worldly knowledge, ethical guidance and spiritual wisdom.” Monsieur Ariel calls it a ‘masterpiece of Tamil literature, one of the highest and purest expressions of human thought.’

E. J Robinson finds that it contains all things and there is nothing which it does not contain. Rev. Emmons E. White opines, “Thirukkural is a synthesis of the best moral teachings of the world.” As Rev. J. Lazarus declares, “No Tamil work can ever approach the purity of Kural. It is a standing repute to modern Tamil.”

There are several translations already made available by eminent scholars like F.W. Ellis, Rev. G.U Pope, Rev.W.H.Drew, Dr. John Lazarus, Yogi Suddhananda, Bharati, Rajaji, K.M. Balasubramaniam, P.S. Sundaram, J. Narayanasamy and others. Then, what is the need for one more English translation of this Tamil classic?

Although there are numerous translations of Thirukkural, the fact remains that no translation could ever render full justice to the original. As the ancient Tamil poet, Avvaiyar, observes, “Thiruvalluvar pierced an tom and injected seven seas into it and compressed it into what we have today as Kural.” Dr. Graul rightly states that no translation can fully convey the charming effect of Thirukkural.

Because of its universality, social philosophy and non-denominational nature, it finds its echoes in the teachings of every religion.

The present translation is an attempt to bring out the Tamil text of Thirukkural into English in a complete form.