Wealth (பொருட்பால்) / Friendship
Chapter 82
தீ நட்பு
Evil Friendship
Thee Natpu. Malay: Persahabatan yang Buruk. Kurals 811 to 820.
When a friendship is harmful.
How to say it
Parukuvaar Polinum Panpilaar KenmaiPerukalir Kundral Inidhu
Meaning in plain English
The decrease of friendship with those who look as if they would eat you up (through excess of love) while they are really destitute of goodness is far better than its increase
Poetic translation
Though evil men should all-absorbing friendship show, Their love had better die away than grow
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Urinnattu Arinoruum Oppilaar KenmaiPerinum Izhappinum En?
Meaning in plain English
Of what avail is it to get or lose the friendship of those who love when there is gain and leave when there is none ?
Poetic translation
What though you gain or lose friendship of men of alien heart, Who when you thrive are friends, and when you fail depart
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Uruvadhu Seerdhookkum Natpum PeruvadhuKolvaarum Kalvarum Ner
Meaning in plain English
Friendship who calculate the profits (of their friendship), prostitutes who are bent on obtaining their gains, and thieves are (all) of the same character
Poetic translation
These are alike: the friends who ponder friendship's gainThose who accept whate'er you give, and all the plundering train
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Amarakaththu Aatrarukkum Kallaamaa AnnaarThamarin Thanimai Thalai
Meaning in plain English
Solitude is more to be desired than the society of those who resemble the untrained horses which throw down (their riders) in the fields of battle
Poetic translation
A steed untrained will leave you in the tug of war; Than friends like that to dwell alone is better far
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Seydhemanj Chaaraach Chiriyavar PunkenmaiEydhalin Eydhaamai Nandru
Meaning in plain English
It is far better to avoid that to contract the evil friendship of the base who cannot protect (their friends) even when appointed to do so
Poetic translation
'Tis better not to gain than gain the friendship profitlessOf men of little minds, who succour fails when dangers press
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Pedhai Perungezheei Natpin ArivutaiyaarEdhinmai Koti Urum
Meaning in plain English
The hatred of the wise is ten-million times more profitable than the excessive intimacy of the fool
Poetic translation
Better ten million times incur the wise man's hate, Than form with foolish men a friendship intimate
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Nakaivakaiya Raakiya Natpin PakaivaraalPaththatuththa Koti Urum
Meaning in plain English
What comes from enemies is a hundred million times more profitable than what comes from the friendship of those who cause only laughter
Poetic translation
From foes ten million fold a greater good you gain, Than friendship yields that's formed with laughers vain
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Ollum Karumam Utatru PavarkenmaiSollaataar Sora Vital
Meaning in plain English
Gradually abandon without revealing (beforehand) the friendship of those who pretend inability to carry out what they (really) could do
Poetic translation
Those men who make a grievous toil of what they doOn your behalf, their friendship silently eschew
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Kanavinum Innaadhu Manno VinaiveruSolveru Pattaar Thotarpu
Meaning in plain English
The friendship of those whose actions do not agree with their words will distress (one) even in (one's) dreams
Poetic translation
E'en in a dream the intercourse is bitternessWith men whose deeds are other than their words profess
G. U. Pope, 1886
How to say it
Enaiththum Kurukudhal Ompal ManaikkezheeiMandril Pazhippaar Thotarpu
Meaning in plain English
Avoid even the least approach to a contraction of friendship with those who would love you in private but ridicule you in public
Poetic translation
In anywise maintain not intercourse with those, Who in the house are friends, in hall are slandering foes
G. U. Pope, 1886