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Kural No. 787 · Wealth (Porul) · Ch 79

Friendship

நட்பு
Original Kural · ஓலைச்சுவடி
அழிவி னவைநீக்கி ஆறுய்த்து அழிவின்கண்
அல்லல் உழப்பதாம் நட்பு.

Azhivi Navaineekki Aaruyththu Azhivinkan / Allal Uzhappadhaam Natpu

Classical English couplet — “Friendship from ruin saves, in way of virtue keeps;In troublous time, it weeps with him who weeps”

Read this Kural in your own language
Choose from 26 languages · narrated with native voice
A
Simple English Meaning
AI-assisted

What it says in plain words

True friends guide you away from harmful choices toward better ones. When trouble comes, they stay beside you and share your sadness.”

B
எளிய தமிழ் விளக்கம் · Simple Tamil Interpretation

The classical Tamil reading

அழிவைத் தரும் தீமைகளிலிருந்து நீக்கி, நல்ல வழியில் நடக்கச் செய்து, அழிவுவந்த காலத்தில் உடனிருந்து துன்பப்படுவதே நட்பாகும்.

C
ஆழமான தமிழ் விளக்கம் · Deeper Tamil Commentary

An expanded Tamil interpretation

நண்பனைத் தீயவழி சென்று கெட்டுவிடாமல் தடுத்து, அவனை நல்வழியில் நடக்கச் செய்து, அவனுக்குத் தீங்கு வருங்காலத்தில் அந்தத் தீங்கின் துன்பத்தைப் பகிர்ந்து கொள்வதே உண்மையான நட்பாகும்

D
Deeper English Meaning
AI-assisted

The ethical and philosophical heart

Friendship means more than enjoying good times with someone. A true friend warns you when your choices could hurt you. They help you find a better way forward. Even when trouble cannot be avoided, they stay and share the pain. Their care does not end when your life becomes difficult.

E
Practical Example (English)
AI-assisted

In personal life, work and society

Personal
You help a friend stop gambling and face their money troubles together.
Workplace
You warn a coworker about a costly mistake and help them put it right.
Family
You guide your sister away from harmful choices and stay close when she struggles.
Society
Neighbors warn each other about scams and support anyone who loses money.
F
Modern Application (English)
AI-assisted

How to apply this today

Decision-making
Help friends consider possible harm before they make a choice.
Integrity
Speak up kindly when a friend takes a harmful path.
Communication
Offer clear guidance, and listen when a friend shares their pain.
Leadership
Guide people away from mistakes and support them through setbacks.
Governance
Help people avoid harm and support those facing loss.
G
Leadership Lesson (English)
AI-assisted

For leaders and teams

Good leaders guide with care and stay through trouble. Help people choose better paths without leaving them alone in hardship.

H
Reflection Question (English)
AI-assisted

Something to sit with

“How could you help a friend facing a harmful choice or a painful loss today?”

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Disclaimer

This application provides educational explanations of the Thirukkural. English meanings and AI-assisted explanations are intended to make the text easier to understand. Classical texts can have multiple valid interpretations.

Thirukkural Wisdom for the World·Timeless Tamil couplets for global minds·© 2026
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