Thirukkural 813 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
உறுவது சீர்தூக்கும் நட்பும் பெறுவது
கொள்வாரும் கள்வரும் நேர்.
Transliteration
Uruvadhu Seerdhookkum Natpum Peruvadhu
Kolvaarum Kalvarum Ner
Modern English
“A friendship measured only by profit is just a transaction, no more honorable than a deal driven by payment or theft.”
Modern Interpretation
A friendship measured only by profit is just a transaction, no more honorable than a deal driven by payment or theft. If someone joins your group only for rewards and leaves when work begins, do not mistake that for friendship.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A friendship measured only by profit is just a transaction, no more honorable than a deal driven by payment or theft.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Cunning friends who calculate Are like thieves and whores wicked
G.U. Pope Translation
These are alike: the friends who ponder friendship's gainThose who accept whate'er you give, and all the plundering train
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Friendship who calculate the profits (of their friendship), prostitutes who are bent on obtaining their gains, and thieves are (all) of the same character
Tamil commentary
இவரிடம் நட்புக் கொள்வதால் தமக்கு என்ன கிடைக்கும் என்று எண்ணிப் பார்ப்பவரின் நட்பும், தமக்குத் தரும் கூலியை ஏற்றுக் கொள்ளும் பாலியல் தொழிலாளரும் திருடர்களும் ஒருவருக்கொருவர் சமமானவர்களே.
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