நிலவே மலர் போன்ற கண்ணை உடைய என் மனைவியின் முகம் போல ஆக நீ விரும்பினால் நான் மட்டும் காணத் தோன்று; பலரும் காணும்படி தோன்றாதே.

நிலவே! முலரனைய கண்களையுடைய என் காதல் மங்கையின் முகத்திற்கு ஒப்பாக நீயிருப்பதாய் பெருமைப்பட்டுக் கொள்ள வேண்டுமேயானால் (அந்தப் போட்டியில் நீ தோல்வியுறாமல் இருந்திட) பலரும் காணும்படியாக நீ தோன்றாது இருப்பதே மேல்

திங்களே! மலர்போன்ற கண்களை உடைய இவளுடைய முகத்தை ஒத்திருக்க விரும்பினால், நீ பலரும் காணும்படியாகத் தோன்றாதே.

O moon, if you wish to resemble the face of her whose eyes are like (these) flowers, do not appear so as to be seen by all

The verse (Kural 1119) is a romantic expression of the poet's deep adoration for his beloved. The poet addresses the moon, personifying it and comparing it to his lover's face. In this verse, the poet's beloved has eyes that are as beautiful as blooming flowers, and he compares her face to the radiance of the moon. He seeks a unique attribute of the moon and implies that if it wants to match the beauty of his beloved's face, it should not appear to be seen by everyone. This is a metaphorical way of expressing his possessiveness and deep love for his beloved. He wishes that her beauty should be exclusive, to be seen and admired only by him, just like how the moon is not visible to everyone at all times. The verse illustrates a common theme in classical love poetry, where celestial bodies are often used to describe the beauty of the loved one. It also reflects the cultural context of the Thiru Kural, where such metaphors and personifications are frequently employed to express complex emotions. In a broader moral interpretation, this verse can be seen as a reminder of the importance of exclusivity and commitment in a loving relationship. The poet's desire for his beloved's beauty to be seen only by him can be taken as a metaphor for the idea of cherishing and protecting what is dear to us.