Thirukkural 808 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

கேளிழுக்கம் கேளாக் கெழுதகைமை வல்லார்க்கு
நாளிழுக்கம் நட்டார் செயின்.

Transliteration

Kelizhukkam Kelaak Kezhudhakaimai Vallaarkku
Naalizhukkam Nattaar Seyin

Modern English

“Loyalty should not mean ignoring every warning about a friend; if that friend abuses such trust, the friendship has been wasted.”

Modern Interpretation

Loyalty should not mean ignoring every warning about a friend; if that friend abuses such trust, the friendship has been wasted. If several people point out repeated cheating, do not call it loyalty to pretend nothing is wrong.

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Modern Plain English

Loyalty should not mean ignoring every warning about a friend; if that friend abuses such trust, the friendship has been wasted.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Fast friends who list not tales of ill Though wronged they say \"that day is well\"

G.U. Pope Translation

In strength of friendship rare of friend's disgrace who will not hear,The day his friend offends will day of grace to him appear

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

To those who understand that by which they should not listen to (tales about) the faults of their friends, that is a (profitable) day on which the latter may commit a fault

Tamil commentary

நண்பன் உரிமை எடுத்துச் செய்து பிழையை அடுத்தவர் எடுத்துக்காட்டியும் ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளாத நட்புரிமை உடையவர்க்கு நண்பன் பிழை செய்யும் நாள் பயனுள்ள நாளாம்.

Chapter 81

More from Familiarity

பழைமை

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 801

That friendship is good amity Which restrains not one's liberty

Kural 802

Friendship's heart is freedom close; Wise men's duty is such to please

Kural 803

Of long friendship what is the use Righteous freedom if men refuse?

Kural 804

Things done unasked by loving friends Please the wise as familiar trends!

Kural 805

Offence of friends feel it easy As folloy or close intimacy

Kural 806

They forsake not but continue In friendship's bounds though loss ensue

Kural 807

Comrades established in firm love Though ruin comes waive not their vow

Kural 808

Fast friends who list not tales of ill Though wronged they say \"that day is well\"

Kural 809

To love such friends the world desires Whose friendship has unbroken ties

Kural 810

Even foes love for better ends Those who leave not long-standing friends