Kural 700Chapter 70: Conduct in the Presence of the King

Thirukkural 700 in English

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

Tamil original

பழையம் எனக்கருதிப் பண்பல்ல செய்யும்
கெழுதகைமை கேடு தரும்.

Transliteration

Pazhaiyam Enakkarudhip Panpalla Seyyum
Kezhudhakaimai Ketu Tharum

Modern English

“Long familiarity is not a license to behave badly; using closeness as an excuse can lead to ruin.”

Modern Interpretation

Long familiarity is not a license to behave badly; using closeness as an excuse can lead to ruin. A longtime friend at work can still lose trust by abusing personal access.

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Modern Plain English

Long familiarity is not a license to behave badly; using closeness as an excuse can lead to ruin.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Worthless acts based on friendship old Shall spell ruin and woe untold

G.U. Pope Translation

Who think 'We're ancient friends' and do unseemly things;To these familiarity sure ruin brings

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

The (foolish) claim with which a minister does unbecoming acts because of his (long) familiarity (with the king) will ensure his ruin

Tamil commentary

ஆட்சியாளருடன் நமக்கு நீண்ட நாள் பழக்கம் உண்டு என்று எண்ணித் தீய செயல்களைச் செய்யும் மனஉரிமை ஒருவருக்குக் கெடுதியையே தரும்.

Chapter 70

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மன்னரைச் சேர்ந்து ஒழுகல்

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Kural 698

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Kural 699

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Kural 700

Worthless acts based on friendship old Shall spell ruin and woe untold