Thirukkural 788 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
உடுக்கை இழந்தவன் கைபோல ஆங்கே
இடுக்கண் களைவதாம் நட்பு.
Transliteration
Utukkai Izhandhavan Kaipola Aange
Itukkan Kalaivadhaam Natpu
Modern English
“A true friend removes trouble immediately, like a hand that instinctively fixes a loosened garment before others notice.”
Modern Interpretation
A true friend removes trouble immediately, like a hand that instinctively fixes a loosened garment before others notice. Help should come quickly when a friend is in need. For example, a friend may call for help and take charge at once when you suddenly fall ill in public.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A true friend removes trouble immediately, like a hand that instinctively fixes a loosened garment before others notice.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Friendship hastens help in mishaps Like hands picking up dress that slips
G.U. Pope Translation
As hand of him whose vesture slips away,Friendship at once the coming grief will stay
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
(True) friendship hastens to the rescue of the afflicted (as readily) as the hand of one whose garment is loosened (before an assembly)
Tamil commentary
பலர் முன்னே ஆடை நழுவும்போது உடனே சென்று உதவும் கை போல, நண்பனுக்குத் துன்பம் வந்த போது உடனே சென்று போக்குவதே 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