Thirukkural 446 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தக்கா ரினத்தனாய்த் தானொழுக வல்லானைச்
செற்றார் செயக்கிடந்த தில்.
Transliteration
Thakkaa Rinaththanaaith Thaanozhuka Vallaanaich
Chetraar Seyakkitandha Thil
Modern English
“People who surround themselves with capable and ethical allies leave enemies little room to harm them.”
Modern Interpretation
People who surround themselves with capable and ethical allies leave enemies little room to harm them. For example, a small business with reliable partners can withstand pressure that would overwhelm its owner alone.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People who surround themselves with capable and ethical allies leave enemies little room to harm them.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
To move with worthy friends who knows Has none to fear from frightful foes
G.U. Pope Translation
The king, who knows to live with worthy men allied,Has nought to fear from any foeman's pride
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
There will be nothing left for enemies to do, against him who has the power of acting (so as to secure) the fellowship of worthy men
Tamil commentary
தகுதி மிக்க துறைப்பெரியவரை நட்பாகக் கொண்டு, அவர் காட்டும் வழியில் நடப்பவரைப் பகைவர் ஏதும் செய்ய இயலாது.
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