Thirukkural 819 in English

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

Tamil original

கனவினும் இன்னாது மன்னோ வினைவேறு
சொல்வேறு பட்டார் தொடர்பு.

Transliteration

Kanavinum Innaadhu Manno Vinaiveru
Solveru Pattaar Thotarpu

Modern English

“A friendship is deeply troubling when a person's actions never match their promises.”

Modern Interpretation

A friendship is deeply troubling when a person's actions never match their promises. If a friend repeatedly says they will support you but abandons you, the uncertainty can follow you even when you are trying to rest.

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Compare translations

Modern Plain English

A friendship is deeply troubling when a person's actions never match their promises.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Even in dreams the tie is bad With those whose deed is far from word

G.U. Pope Translation

E'en in a dream the intercourse is bitternessWith men whose deeds are other than their words profess

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

The friendship of those whose actions do not agree with their words will distress (one) even in (one's) dreams

Tamil commentary

சொல் ஒன்று, செயல் வேறாக இருப்பவரின் நட்பு கனவிலும் கூடத் துன்பமானதாகும்.

Chapter 82

More from Evil Friendship

தீ நட்பு

Read all 10 Kurals →