Thirukkural 787 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அழிவி னவைநீக்கி ஆறுய்த்து அழிவின்கண்
அல்லல் உழப்பதாம் நட்பு.
Transliteration
Azhivi Navaineekki Aaruyththu Azhivinkan
Allal Uzhappadhaam Natpu
Modern English
“A true friend turns you away from harmful choices, guides you toward a better path, and shares your pain when trouble arrives.”
Modern Interpretation
A true friend turns you away from harmful choices, guides you toward a better path, and shares your pain when trouble arrives. Friendship includes both correction and support. For example, a friend might stop you from making a reckless decision and then stay with you while you repair the damage.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A true friend turns you away from harmful choices, guides you toward a better path, and shares your pain when trouble arrives.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
From ruin friendship saves and shares The load of pain and right path shows
G.U. Pope Translation
Friendship from ruin saves, in way of virtue keeps;In troublous time, it weeps with him who weeps
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
(True) friendship turns aside from evil (ways) makes (him) walk in the (good) way, and, in case of loss if shares his sorrow (with him)
Tamil commentary
அழிவு தரும் வழிகளில் நண்பன் சென்றால் தடுத்து, நல்ல வழியில் அவனைச் செலுத்தி அவனுக்குக் கேடு வரும் என்றால் அதை அவனுடன் பகிர்வது 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