Thirukkural 803 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பழகிய நட்பெவன் செய்யுங் கெழுதகைமை
செய்தாங்கு அமையாக் கடை.
Transliteration
Pazhakiya Natpevan Seyyung Kezhudhakaimai
Seydhaangu Amaiyaak Katai
Modern English
“Long friendship means standing by a trusted friend's action as you would stand by your own, when it was done in good faith.”
Modern Interpretation
Long friendship means standing by a trusted friend's action as you would stand by your own, when it was done in good faith. If a longtime friend handles a shared task without asking first, support the effort unless it causes real harm.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Long friendship means standing by a trusted friend's action as you would stand by your own, when it was done in good faith.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Of long friendship what is the use Righteous freedom if men refuse?
G.U. Pope Translation
When to familiar acts men kind response refuse,What fruit from ancient friendship's use
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Of what avail is long-standing friendship, if friends do not admit as their own actions done through the right of intimacy ?
Tamil commentary
தனக்கு உடன்பாடு இல்லை என்றாலும், நண்பர் உரிமையாகச் செய்துவிட்டதைத் தானும் விரும்பிச் செய்தது போலவே காட்டவில்லை என்றால், நெடுங்காலமாகக் கொண்ட நட்பு என்ன பயனைத் தரும்?
Chapter 81
More from Familiarity
பழைமை
That friendship is good amity Which restrains not one's liberty
Kural 802Friendship's heart is freedom close; Wise men's duty is such to please
Kural 803Of long friendship what is the use Righteous freedom if men refuse?
Kural 804Things done unasked by loving friends Please the wise as familiar trends!
Kural 805Offence of friends feel it easy As folloy or close intimacy
Kural 806They forsake not but continue In friendship's bounds though loss ensue
Kural 807Comrades established in firm love Though ruin comes waive not their vow
Kural 808Fast friends who list not tales of ill Though wronged they say \"that day is well\"
Kural 809To love such friends the world desires Whose friendship has unbroken ties
Kural 810Even foes love for better ends Those who leave not long-standing friends