Thirukkural 815 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
செய்தேமஞ் சாராச் சிறியவர் புன்கேண்மை
எய்தலின் எய்தாமை நன்று.
Transliteration
Seydhemanj Chaaraach Chiriyavar Punkenmai
Eydhalin Eydhaamai Nandru
Modern English
“It is better to avoid the friendship of people who cannot protect or support you even after promising to do so.”
Modern Interpretation
It is better to avoid the friendship of people who cannot protect or support you even after promising to do so. If someone agrees to keep a confidence but immediately shares it, do not entrust them with another one.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
It is better to avoid the friendship of people who cannot protect or support you even after promising to do so.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Friends low and mean that give no help- Leave them is better than to keep
G.U. Pope Translation
'Tis better not to gain than gain the friendship profitlessOf men of little minds, who succour fails when dangers press
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
It is far better to avoid that to contract the evil friendship of the base who cannot protect (their friends) even when appointed to do so
Tamil commentary
நாம் பல வகையில் உதவி செய்தாலும் நமக்குப் பாதுகாப்பாக இராத அற்பர்களின் நட்பு, இருப்பதிலும் இல்லாதிருப்பதே நல்லது.
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