Thirukkural 786 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
முகநக நட்பது நட்பன்று நெஞ்சத்து
அகநக நட்பது நட்பு.
Transliteration
Mukanaka Natpadhu Natpandru Nenjaththu
Akanaka Natpadhu Natpu
Modern English
“A friendly smile alone is not proof of friendship.”
Modern Interpretation
A friendly smile alone is not proof of friendship. True friendship comes from genuine care in the heart, not just pleasant behavior in public. For example, someone who checks on you privately when you are struggling is a truer friend than someone who only acts warm in front of others.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A friendly smile alone is not proof of friendship.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Friendship is not more smile on face It is the smiling heart's embrace
G.U. Pope Translation
Not the face's smile of welcome shows the friend sincere,But the heart's rejoicing gladness when the friend is near
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The love that dwells (merely in the smiles of the face is not friendship; (but) that which dwells deep in the smiles of the heart is true friendship
Tamil commentary
பார்க்கும்போது மனம் மகிழாமல், முகம் மட்டுமே மலரப் பழகுவது நட்பு அன்று. அன்பால் மனமும் மலரப் பழகுவதே நட்பு.
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