# LXXI: Judging by Looks explained — The Kural

> Chapter companion for The Kural by Thiruvalluvar.

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### Thiruvalluvar

Author of the Kural verses on judging character by looks.

### the Kural

The text being expounded in this chapter.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxi-judging-by-looks
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters