Thirukkural 441 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அறனறிந்து மூத்த அறிவுடையார் கேண்மை
திறனறிந்து தேர்ந்து கொளல்.
Transliteration
Aranarindhu Mooththa Arivutaiyaar Kenmai
Thiranarindhu Therndhu Kolal
Modern English
“Choose the friendship of ethical, experienced people after considering their character and the value of their guidance.”
Modern Interpretation
Choose the friendship of ethical, experienced people after considering their character and the value of their guidance. For example, a young worker who seeks a thoughtful mentor can avoid mistakes that enthusiasm alone would cause.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Choose the friendship of ethical, experienced people after considering their character and the value of their guidance.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Weigh their worth and friendship gain Of men of virtue and mature brain
G.U. Pope Translation
As friends the men who virtue know, and riper wisdom share,Their worth weighed well, the king should choose with care
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let (a king) ponder well its value, and secure the friendship of men of virtue and of mature knowledge
Tamil commentary
அறத்தின் நுண்மையை அறிந்து, குறிப்பிட்ட துறையிலும் வளர்ந்த அறிவுடையவரின் நட்பை, அதன் அருமையையும், அதைப் பெறும் திறத்தையும் அறிந்து பெறுக.
Chapter 45
More from Seeking the Aid of Great Men
பெரியாரைத் துணைக்கோடல்
Weigh their worth and friendship gain Of men of virtue and mature brain
Kural 442Cherish the help of men of skill Who ward and safe-guard you from ill
Kural 443Honour and have the great your own Is rarest of the rare things known
Kural 444To have betters as intimates Power of all powers promotes
Kural 445Ministers are the monarch's eyes Round him should be the right and wise
Kural 446To move with worthy friends who knows Has none to fear from frightful foes
Kural 447No foe can foil his powers whose friends reprove him when he errs
Kural 448The careless king whom none reproves Ruins himself sans harmful foes
Kural 449No capital, no gain in trade No prop secure sans good comrade
Kural 450To give up good friends is ten times worse Than being hated by countless foes