Thirukkural 790 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இனையர் இவரெமக்கு இன்னம்யாம் என்று
புனையினும் புல்லென்னும் நட்பு.
Transliteration
Inaiyar Ivaremakku Innamyaam Endru
Punaiyinum Pullennum Natpu
Modern English
“Friendship becomes shallow when people keep decorating it with claims about how close they are.”
Modern Interpretation
Friendship becomes shallow when people keep decorating it with claims about how close they are. Real closeness does not need repeated public praise. For example, friends who constantly post about their bond may be less dependable than the quiet friend who simply helps when needed.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Friendship becomes shallow when people keep decorating it with claims about how close they are.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
\"Such we are and such they are!\" Ev'n this boast will friendship mar
G.U. Pope Translation
Mean is the friendship that men blazon forth,'He's thus to me' and 'such to him my worth'
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Though friends may praise one another saying, "He is so intimate with us, and we so much (with him)"; (still) such friendship will appear mean
Tamil commentary
இவர் எமக்கு இத்தனை அன்பு உடையவர்; நாமும் இவர்க்கு இப்படியே என்று ஒருவரை ஒருவர் அலங்காரமாகப் பாராட்டிச் சொன்னாலும் நட்பு அற்பமானதாகப் போய்விடும்.
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