Thirukkural 799 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கெடுங்காலைக் கைவிடுவார் கேண்மை அடுங்காலை
உள்ளினும் உள்ளஞ் சுடும்.
Transliteration
Ketungaalaik Kaivituvaar Kenmai Atungaalai
Ullinum Ullanj Chutum
Modern English
“When people abandon us in our worst hour, remembering that betrayal can hurt even long afterward.”
Modern Interpretation
When people abandon us in our worst hour, remembering that betrayal can hurt even long afterward. A friendship that disappears in crisis leaves a lasting wound. For example, someone may remember for years the friend who walked away when help was urgently needed.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
When people abandon us in our worst hour, remembering that betrayal can hurt even long afterward.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Friends who betray at ruin's brink Burn our mind ev'n at death to think
G.U. Pope Translation
Of friends deserting us on ruin's brink,'Tis torture e'en in life's last hour to think
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The very thought of the friendship of those who have deserted one at the approach of adversity will burn one's mind at the time of death
Tamil commentary
கெடும்போது நம்மைக் கைவிட்டவரின் நட்பை நாம் சாகின்ற போது நினைத்தாலும் நம் நெஞ்சம் சுடும்.
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