Thirukkural 454 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மனத்து ளதுபோலக் காட்டி ஒருவற்கு
இனத்துள தாகும் அறிவு.
Transliteration
Manaththu Ladhupolak Kaatti Oruvarku
Inaththula Thaakum Arivu
Modern English
“Wisdom may seem to come from within, but good companions help it grow and become useful.”
Modern Interpretation
Wisdom may seem to come from within, but good companions help it grow and become useful. For example, a mentor can help you notice a better answer than you would find alone.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Wisdom may seem to come from within, but good companions help it grow and become useful.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Wisdom seems to come from mind But it truly flows from the kind
G.U. Pope Translation
Man's wisdom seems the offspring of his mind;'Tis outcome of companionship we find
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Wisdom appears to rest in the mind, but it really exists to a man in his companions
Tamil commentary
அறிவு ஒருவன் மனத்துள் இருப்பது போலத் தோன்றும்; உண்மையில் அது அவன் சேர்ந்துள்ள இனத்தின்பால் இருந்து பெறப்படுவதே ஆகும்.
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