Thirukkural 823 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பலநல்ல கற்றக் கடைத்து மனநல்லர்
ஆகுதல் மாணார்க் கரிது.
Transliteration
Palanalla Katrak Kataiththu Mananallar
Aakudhal Maanaark Karidhu
Modern English
“Reading many good books does not make a hostile person kind-hearted; knowledge without goodwill does not create true friendship.”
Modern Interpretation
Reading many good books does not make a hostile person kind-hearted; knowledge without goodwill does not create true friendship. Someone can quote lessons about kindness while still hoping others fail.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Reading many good books does not make a hostile person kind-hearted; knowledge without goodwill does not create true friendship.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
They may be vast in good studies But heartfelt-love is hard for foes
G.U. Pope Translation
To heartfelt goodness men ignoble hardly may attain,Although abundant stores of goodly lore they gain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Though (one's) enemies may have mastered many good books, it will be impossible for them to become truly loving at heart
Tamil commentary
மனத்தால் பொருந்தாதவர்கள் நல்ல பல நூல்களைக் கற்றபோதும் மனந்திருந்தி நல்ல நண்பர் ஆவது அரிது.
Chapter 83
More from Unreal Friendship
கூடா நட்பு
The friendship by an enemy shown Is anvil in time, to strike you down
Kural 822Who pretend kinship but are not Their friendship's fickle like woman's heart
Kural 823They may be vast in good studies But heartfelt-love is hard for foes
Kural 824Fear foes whose face has winning smiles Whose heart is full of cunning guiles
Kural 825Do not trust in what they tell Whose mind with your mind goes ill
Kural 826The words of foes is quickly seen Though they speak like friends in fine
Kural 827Trust not the humble words of foes Danger darts from bending bows
Kural 828Adoring hands of foes hide arms Their sobbing tears have lurking harms
Kural 829In open who praise, at heart despise Cajole and crush them in friendly guise
Kural 830When foes, in time, play friendship's part Feign love on face but not in heart