Thirukkural 453 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மனத்தானாம் மாந்தர்க் குணர்ச்சி இனத்தானாம்
இன்னான் எனப்படுஞ் சொல்.
Transliteration
Manaththaanaam Maandhark Kunarchchi Inaththaanaam
Innaan Enappatunj Chol
Modern English
“Your mind gives you the ability to understand, but your companions strongly affect how others judge your character.”
Modern Interpretation
Your mind gives you the ability to understand, but your companions strongly affect how others judge your character. For example, a responsible person may still be mistrusted if they constantly join reckless friends.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Your mind gives you the ability to understand, but your companions strongly affect how others judge your character.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Wisdom depends upon the mind The worth of man upon his friend
G.U. Pope Translation
Perceptions manifold in men are of the mind alone;The value of the man by his companionship is known
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The power of knowing is from the mind; (but) his character is from that of his associates
Tamil commentary
மக்களுக்கு இயல்பான அறிவு அவர்தம் மனததால் உண்டாகும்; ஆனால், ஒருவன் இப்படிப்பட்டவன் என்று பெரியோர் சொல்லும் சொல் அவன் சார்ந்த இனம் காரணமாகவே உண்டாகும்.
Chapter 46
More from Avoiding mean Associations
சிற்றினம் சேராமை
The ignoble the noble fear The mean hold them as kinsmen dear
Kural 452With soil changes water's taste With mates changes the mental state
Kural 453Wisdom depends upon the mind The worth of man upon his friend
Kural 454Wisdom seems to come from mind But it truly flows from the kind
Kural 455Purity of the thought and deed Comes from good company indeed
Kural 456Pure-hearted get good progeny Pure friendship acts with victory
Kural 457Goodness of mind increases gain Good friendship fosters fame again
Kural 458Men of wisdom, though good in mind In friends of worth a new strength find
Kural 459Good mind decides the future bliss Good company gains strength to this
Kural 460No help good company exeeds; The bad to untold anguish leads