Thirukkural 784 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நகுதற் பொருட்டன்று நட்டல் மிகுதிக்கண்
மேற்செனறு இடித்தற் பொருட்டு.
Transliteration
Nakudhar Poruttandru Nattal Mikudhikkan
Mersenaru Itiththar Poruttu
Modern English
“Friendship is not only for laughing together; a true friend also steps forward to correct you when you go too far.”
Modern Interpretation
Friendship is not only for laughing together; a true friend also steps forward to correct you when you go too far. Honest advice protects the relationship from becoming harmful. For example, a friend may tell you to stop cheating or insulting someone even when hearing it is uncomfortable.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Friendship is not only for laughing together; a true friend also steps forward to correct you when you go too far.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Not to laugh is friendship made But to hit when faults exceed
G.U. Pope Translation
Nor for laughter only friendship all the pleasant day,But for strokes of sharp reproving, when from right you stray
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Friendship is to be practised not for the purpose of laughing but for that of being beforehand in giving one another sharp rebukes in case of transgression
Tamil commentary
ஒருவனோடு நட்புக் கொள்வது சிரித்து மகிழ மட்டும் அன்று; நண்பனிடம் வேண்டாத செயல் இருக்கக் கண்டபோது விரைந்து கண்டித்துப் புத்தி சொல்வதற்கும் ஆம்.
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