Thirukkural 791 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
நாடாது நட்டலிற் கேடில்லை நட்டபின்
வீடில்லை நட்பாள் பவர்க்கு.
Transliteration
Naataadhu Nattalir Ketillai Nattapin
Veetillai Natpaal Pavarkku
Modern English
“Because kind-hearted people may not easily abandon someone they have accepted, choosing a friend without careful thought can bring great harm.”
Modern Interpretation
Because kind-hearted people may not easily abandon someone they have accepted, choosing a friend without careful thought can bring great harm. It is wiser to examine a relationship before becoming deeply tied to it. For example, notice how someone treats others before trusting them with personal matters.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Because kind-hearted people may not easily abandon someone they have accepted, choosing a friend without careful thought can bring great harm.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Than testless friendship nought is worse For contacts formed will scarcely cease
G.U. Pope Translation
To make an untried man your friend is ruin sure;For friendship formed unbroken must endure
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
As those who are of a friendly nature will not forsake (a friend) after once loving (him), there is no evil so great as contracting a friendship without due inquiry
Tamil commentary
விரும்பி நட்புச் செய்தவர்க்கு ஒருவருடன், நட்புக் கொண்ட பின் அந்த நட்பை விடுவது கடினம். அதனால் முன்பே ஒருவரைப் பற்றி நன்கு அறியாமல் நட்புக் கொள்வதைக் காட்டிலும் கேடு தருவது வேறு இல்லை.
Chapter 80
More from Investigation in forming Friendships
நட்பாராய்தல்
Than testless friendship nought is worse For contacts formed will scarcely cease
Kural 792Friendship made without frequent test Shall end in grief and death at last
Kural 793Temper, descent, defects and kins Trace well and take companions
Kural 794Take as good friend at any price The nobly born who shun disgrace
Kural 795Who make you weep and chide wrong trends And lead you right are worthy friends
Kural 796Is there a test like misfortune A rod to measure out kinsmen?
Kural 797Keep off contacts with fools; that is The greatest gain so say the wise
Kural 798Off with thoughts that depress the heart Off with friends that in woe depart
Kural 799Friends who betray at ruin's brink Burn our mind ev'n at death to think
Kural 800The blameless ones as friends embarace; Give something and give up the base