Thirukkural 785 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
புணர்ச்சி பழகுதல் வேண்டா உணர்ச்சிதான்
நட்பாங் கிழமை தரும்.
Transliteration
Punarchchi Pazhakudhal Ventaa Unarchchidhaan
Natpaang Kizhamai Tharum
Modern English
“People do not need to live together or meet constantly to become true friends.”
Modern Interpretation
People do not need to live together or meet constantly to become true friends. Mutual understanding can create closeness on its own. For example, two students who support each other online and share the same values may form a real friendship despite living far apart.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People do not need to live together or meet constantly to become true friends.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
No close living nor clasping grip Friendship's feeling heart's fellowship
G.U. Pope Translation
Not association constant, not affection's token bind;'Tis the unison of feeling friends unites of kindred mind
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Living together and holding frequent intercourse are not necessary (for friendship); (mutual) understanding can alone create a claim for it
Tamil commentary
ஒருவனோடு ஒருவன் நட்புக் கொள்வதற்கு அருகருகே இருப்பதோ, நெருங்கிப் பழகுவதோ வேண்டியதில்ல. இருவரது எண்ணமும் ஒத்திருந்தால் அதுவே நட்பு என்னும் தோழமையைக் கொடுக்கும்.
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