Thirukkural 782 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நிறைநீர நீரவர் கேண்மை பிறைமதிப்
பின்னீர பேதையார் நட்பு.
Transliteration
Niraineera Neeravar Kenmai Piraimadhip
Pinneera Pedhaiyaar Natpu
Modern English
“The friendship of wise people grows like the waxing moon, while the friendship of foolish people fades like the waning moon.”
Modern Interpretation
The friendship of wise people grows like the waxing moon, while the friendship of foolish people fades like the waning moon. Good judgment gives a relationship room to deepen. For example, a friend who listens and learns with you may become closer over the years, while a careless friendship may disappear after its first excitement.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
The friendship of wise people grows like the waxing moon, while the friendship of foolish people fades like the waning moon.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Good friendship shines like waxing moon, The bad withers like waning moon
G.U. Pope Translation
Friendship with men fulfilled of good Waxes like the crescent moon;Friendship with men of foolish mood, Like the full orb, waneth soon
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The friendship of the wise waxes like the new moon; (but) that of fools wanes like the full moon
Tamil commentary
பிறை, நாளும் வளர்வதுபோல, அறிவுடையார் நட்பு வளரும்; முழு நிலவு தேய்வது போலப் பேதைகளின் நட்பு தேயும்.
Chapter 79
More from Friendship
நட்பு
Like friendship what's so hard to gain? That guards one against acts villain?
Kural 782Good friendship shines like waxing moon, The bad withers like waning moon
Kural 783Like taste in books good friendship grows The more one moves the more he knows
Kural 784Not to laugh is friendship made But to hit when faults exceed
Kural 785No close living nor clasping grip Friendship's feeling heart's fellowship
Kural 786Friendship is not more smile on face It is the smiling heart's embrace
Kural 787From ruin friendship saves and shares The load of pain and right path shows
Kural 788Friendship hastens help in mishaps Like hands picking up dress that slips
Kural 789Friendship is enthroned on the strength That always helps with utmost warmth
Kural 790\"Such we are and such they are!\" Ev'n this boast will friendship mar