Kural 791Chapter 80: Investigation in forming Friendships

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

English Translation

“Than testless friendship nought is worse For contacts formed will scarcely cease”

Plain-English meaning

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

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

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

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Kural 791

Than testless friendship nought is worse For contacts formed will scarcely cease

Kural 792

Friendship made without frequent test Shall end in grief and death at last

Kural 793

Temper, descent, defects and kins Trace well and take companions

Kural 794

Take as good friend at any price The nobly born who shun disgrace

Kural 795

Who make you weep and chide wrong trends And lead you right are worthy friends

Kural 796

Is there a test like misfortune A rod to measure out kinsmen?

Kural 797

Keep off contacts with fools; that is The greatest gain so say the wise

Kural 798

Off with thoughts that depress the heart Off with friends that in woe depart

Kural 799

Friends who betray at ruin's brink Burn our mind ev'n at death to think

Kural 800

The blameless ones as friends embarace; Give something and give up the base