Thirukkural 187 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

பகச்சொல்லிக் கேளிர்ப் பிரிப்பர் நகச்சொல்லி
நட்பாடல் தேற்றா தவர்.

Transliteration

Pakachchollik Kelirp Pirippar Nakachcholli
Natpaatal Thetraa Thavar

English Translation

“By pleasing words who make not friends Sever their hearts by hostile trends”

Plain-English meaning

Those who know not to live in friendship with amusing conversation will by back-biting estrange even their relatives

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

By pleasing words who make not friends Sever their hearts by hostile trends

G.U. Pope Translation

With friendly art who know not pleasant words to say,Speak words that sever hearts, and drive choice friends away

Plain-English Meaning

Those who know not to live in friendship with amusing conversation will by back-biting estrange even their relatives

கூடி மகிழுமாறு இனியன பேசி நட்பை வளர்க்கத் தெரியாதவர், புறம்பேசி நண்பர்களையும் பிரித்து விடுவர்.

Chapter 19

புறங்கூறாமை

Though a man from virtue strays, To keep from slander brings him praise

Who bite behind, and before smile Are worse than open traitors vile

Virtue thinks it better to die, Than live to backbite and to lie

Though harsh you speak in one's presence Abuse is worse in his absence

Who turns to slander makes it plain His praise of virtue is in vain

His failings will be found and shown, Who makes another's failings known

By pleasing words who make not friends Sever their hearts by hostile trends

What will they not to strangers do Who bring their friends' defects to view?

The world in mercy bears his load Who rants behind words untoward

No harm would fall to any man If each his own defect could scan