Thirukkural 451 in English

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

Tamil original

சிற்றினம் அஞ்சும் பெருமை சிறுமைதான்
சுற்றமாச் சூழ்ந்து விடும்.

Transliteration

Sitrinam Anjum Perumai Sirumaidhaan
Sutramaach Choozhndhu Vitum

English Translation

“The ignoble the noble fear The mean hold them as kinsmen dear”

Plain-English meaning

(True) greatness fears the society of the base; it is only the low - minded who will regard them as friends

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

The ignoble the noble fear The mean hold them as kinsmen dear

G.U. Pope Translation

The great of soul will mean association fear;The mean of soul regard mean men as kinsmen dear

Plain-English Meaning

(True) greatness fears the society of the base; it is only the low - minded who will regard them as friends

தீய குணத்தாரோடு சேரப் பெரியோர் அஞ்சுவர்; சிறியாரோ அவர்களைத் தம் உறவாகவே கருதி விடுவர்.

Chapter 46

சிற்றினம் சேராமை

The ignoble the noble fear The mean hold them as kinsmen dear

With soil changes water's taste With mates changes the mental state

Wisdom depends upon the mind The worth of man upon his friend

Wisdom seems to come from mind But it truly flows from the kind

Purity of the thought and deed Comes from good company indeed

Pure-hearted get good progeny Pure friendship acts with victory

Goodness of mind increases gain Good friendship fosters fame again

Men of wisdom, though good in mind In friends of worth a new strength find

Good mind decides the future bliss Good company gains strength to this

No help good company exeeds; The bad to untold anguish leads