Following is the translation of Thirukkural, a discourse on ethics, its author is Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar who lived around 3rd Century. It’s translation is done by Mr. NV Subbaraman, he lives in Chennai.
CHAPTER FORTY SIX
அதிகாரம் 46
ON KEEPING AWAY FROM MEAN FRIENDS
சிற்றினம் சேராமை
~*~
Original
சிற்றினம் அஞ்சும் பெருமை; சிறுமைதான்
சுற்றமாச் சூழ்ந்து விடும்.
Pronunciation
Sitrinam anjum perumai; sirumaidhaan
Sutramaach choozhndhu vidum.
Translation
.While the noble hate
The mean, the mean love the mean
The means’ ills in spate!
Comment
The nobles are in fact afraid of the people of mean behavior; the mean minded people, they treat the fellow mean minded people as relatives
~*~
Original
நிலத்து இயல்பால் நீர்திரிந்து அற்றாகும்;மாந்தர்க்கு
இனத்துஇயல்பது ஆகும் அறிவு.
Pronunciation
Nilaththu iyalbaal neerthirindhu atramaagum; maandharkku
Inaththu iyalbadhu aagum arivu.
Translation
Water takes the taste
Of the earth; men’s knowledge sprouts
As with whom they stand!
Comment
Water changes its quality according to the soil in which it is and that is different from its original taste and quality; similarly man’s knowledge and attitude change depending on whom they keep company.
~*~
Original
மனத்தான்ஆம் மாந்தர்க்கு உணர்ச்சி; இனத்தான்ஆம்
இன்னான் எனப்படும் சொல்.
Pronunciation
Manaththaanaam maandharkku uNarchi; inaththaanaam
Innaan enappadum sol.
Translation
Wisdom born in mind
Opinion on the man
Is born from his friend!
Comment
Man’s natural knowledge and wisdom depend and grow on his mind; but the opinion of others sprouts on the basis of the company one keeps.
~*~
Original
மனத்து உளதுபோலக் காட்டி ஒருவற்கு
இனத்துஉள தாகும் அறிவு.
Pronunciation
Manaththu uLadhupoalak kaatti oruvarkku
InaththuuLa dhaagum arivu.
Translation
Though wisdom is born
From the mind, in fact depends
On friend’s mind in turn!
Comment
One’s knowledge and wisdom appear to come out of his mind; but in fact it is shaped by the company he keeps.
~*~
Original
மனத்தூய்மை செய்வினை தூய்மை இரண்டும்
இனம்தூய்மை தூவா வரும்.
Pronunciation
Manaththooymai seyvinai thooymai iraNdum
Inamthooymai thoovaa varum.
Translation
Purity of deed
And mind rests on the noble
Friend he keeps indeed!
Comment
Purity of one’s thoughts and actions rests on the good and noble company one keeps.
~*~
Original
மனம்தூயார்க்கு எச்சம்நன் நாகும்; இனம்தூயார்க்கு
இல்லைநன்று ஆகா வினை.
Pronunciation
Manam thooyaarkku echchamnan naagum; inamthooyaarkku
Illainadru aaghaa vinai.
Translation
For the pure hearted
Noble progeny is sure
Good company yields!
Comment
For the pure and noble hearted, legacy in the form of fame and progeny will be great; that indeed depends on the company of the good and noble he keeps.
~*~
Original
மனநல, மன்னுயிர்க்கு ஆக்கம்; இனநலம்
எல்லாப் புகழும் தரும்.
Pronunciation
Mananala, mannuyirkku aakkam; inanalam
Ellaappugazhum tharum.
Translation
Good minded reach fame
All that is great, fine and nice!
Good friendship brings name!
Comment
When one’s mind is good and noble, he gets fame and name; when he keeps the company of the good and noble, he attains greater heights in all his life.
~*~
Original
மனநலம் நன்குஉடைய ராயினும் சான்றோர்க்கு
இனநலம் ஏமாப்பு உடைத்து.
Pronunciation
Mananalam nangu udaiyaraayinum saandroarkku
Inanalam aemaappu udaiththu.
Translation
Noble gets nobler
With friends noble, great and pure
Sure they are stronger!
Comment
Though one is by nature good and great, the noble company he keeps, makes him greater and nobler sure.
~*~
Original
மனநலத்தின் ஆகும் மறுமை;மற் றஃதும்
இனநலத்தின் ஏமாப்பு உடைத்து.
Pronunciation
Mananalaththin aagum marumai; matrahdhum
Inanalaththin aemaappu udaiththu.
Translation
Joy in the birth next
For those who are pure in mind
Good friends make it best!
Comment
Those who are pure and noble they get all joy even in the next birth; the ones with great and good company get greater and greater.
~*~
Original
நல்லினத்தின் ஊங்கும் துணையில்லை; தீயினத்தின்
அல்லற் படுப்பதூஉம் இல்.
Pronunciation
Nallinaththin oongum thuNaiyillai; theeyinaththin
Allar paduppadhoom il.
Translation
Nice friends bring the best
All depends on the friendship
Bad ones bring the worst!
Comment
One has nothing greater than the good company that brings all the best and for the bad ones nothing can be worse than the bad company he keeps that brings nothing but misery.
Commandments of Thiruvalluvar on Keeping Away from Mean Friends and its English translation by Shri. N V Subbaraman are for us to follow and ensure great rewards like:
A well-meaning Behaviour,
A pristine Knowledge,
Good Opinions,
True Wisdom,
Nobility in Thought and Deed,
A noble Self and Progeny,
Greatness of Name and Fame,
Joy even in Next Birth, and
How Good or Bad We are!
What else do we need to have in our life ?
It is the good company like your good self that we had elevated us officially and mentally(பெரியாரைத்துணைக்கோடலின் செயல் விளைவுத்திறன் ). Translation and content creation are wonderful.
Thanks Shri OKRS and CK. I am grateful to you.