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

English Translation

“They may be vast in good studies But heartfelt-love is hard for foes”

Plain-English meaning

Though (one's) enemies may have mastered many good books, it will be impossible for them to become truly loving at heart

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

Though (one's) enemies may have mastered many good books, it will be impossible for them to become truly loving at heart

மனத்தால் பொருந்தாதவர்கள் நல்ல பல நூல்களைக் கற்றபோதும் மனந்திருந்தி நல்ல நண்பர் ஆவது அரிது.

Chapter 83

கூடா நட்பு

The friendship by an enemy shown Is anvil in time, to strike you down

Who pretend kinship but are not Their friendship's fickle like woman's heart

They may be vast in good studies But heartfelt-love is hard for foes

Fear foes whose face has winning smiles Whose heart is full of cunning guiles

Do not trust in what they tell Whose mind with your mind goes ill

The words of foes is quickly seen Though they speak like friends in fine

Trust not the humble words of foes Danger darts from bending bows

Adoring hands of foes hide arms Their sobbing tears have lurking harms

In open who praise, at heart despise Cajole and crush them in friendly guise

When foes, in time, play friendship's part Feign love on face but not in heart