Thirukkural 812 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
உறின்நட்டு அறினொருஉம் ஒப்பிலார் கேண்மை
பெறினும் இழப்பினும் என்?
Transliteration
Urinnattu Arinoruum Oppilaar Kenmai
Perinum Izhappinum En?
Modern English
“There is little value in a friendship that lasts only while someone is gaining from it.”
Modern Interpretation
There is little value in a friendship that lasts only while someone is gaining from it. If a person messages you only before exams or when they need money, losing that contact is not a real loss.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
There is little value in a friendship that lasts only while someone is gaining from it.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who fawn in wealth and fail in dearth Gain or lose; such friends have no worth
G.U. Pope Translation
What though you gain or lose friendship of men of alien heart,Who when you thrive are friends, and when you fail depart
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Of what avail is it to get or lose the friendship of those who love when there is gain and leave when there is none ?
Tamil commentary
தமக்குப் பயனிருந்தால் நட்புக் கொண்டும், பயன் இல்லை என்றால் நட்பை விலக்கியும் வாழ்வதில் தமக்கு இணை இல்லாதவராய் இருப்பாரின் நட்பைப் பெற்றென்ன இழந்தென்ன?
Chapter 82
More from Evil Friendship
தீ நட்பு
Swallowing love of soulless men Had better wane than wax anon
Kural 812Who fawn in wealth and fail in dearth Gain or lose; such friends have no worth
Kural 813Cunning friends who calculate Are like thieves and whores wicked
Kural 814Better be alone than trust in those That throw in field like faithless horse
Kural 815Friends low and mean that give no help- Leave them is better than to keep
Kural 816Million times the wise man's hate Is better than a fool intimate
Kural 817Ten-fold crore you gain from foes Than from friends who are vain laughers
Kural 818Without a word those friends eschew Who spoil deeds which they can do
Kural 819Even in dreams the tie is bad With those whose deed is far from word
Kural 820Keep aloof from those that smile At home and in public revile