Thirukkural 458 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
மனநலம் நன்குடைய ராயினும் சான்றோர்க்கு
இனநலம் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.
Transliteration
Mananalam Nankutaiya Raayinum Saandrorkku
Inanalam Emaap Putaiththu
Modern English
“Even a good person needs good company to protect and strengthen their character.”
Modern Interpretation
Even a good person needs good company to protect and strengthen their character. For example, honest friends can stop you from making a choice you would later regret.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Even a good person needs good company to protect and strengthen their character.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Men of wisdom, though good in mind In friends of worth a new strength find
G.U. Pope Translation
To perfect men, though minds right good belong,Yet good companionship is confirmation strong
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Yet good companionship is confirmation strong
Tamil commentary
மனநலத்தைச் சிறப்பாகப் பெற்றவரே ஆயினும், நல்ல குணம் உடையவர்க்கு இனநலம் பாதுகாப்பாக இருக்கும்.
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