Thirukkural 795 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அழச்சொல்லி அல்லது இடித்து வழக்கறிய
வல்லார்நடபு ஆய்ந்து கொளல்.
Transliteration
Azhachcholli Alladhu Itiththu Vazhakkariya
Vallaarnatapu Aaindhu Kolal
Modern English
“Choose friends who can warn you before you do wrong, correct you afterward, and understand how life works.”
Modern Interpretation
Choose friends who can warn you before you do wrong, correct you afterward, and understand how life works. Their advice may hurt, but it protects you. For example, a good friend will challenge a dishonest plan instead of cheering you on just to stay popular.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Choose friends who can warn you before you do wrong, correct you afterward, and understand how life works.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who make you weep and chide wrong trends And lead you right are worthy friends
G.U. Pope Translation
Make them your chosen friend whose words repentance move,With power prescription's path to show, while evil they reprove
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
You should examine and secure the friendship of those who can speak so as to make you weep over a crime (before its commission) or rebuke you severely (after you have done it) and are able to teach
Tamil commentary
நாம் தவறு செய்ய எண்ணினால் நம் மனம் நோகச் சொல்லியும் செய்து விட்டால் கண்டித்தும், உலக வழக்கினை அறிந்து செய்யும் ஆற்றலைப் பெற்றும் உள்ளவரை அறிந்து அவர் நட்பைக் கொள்க.
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