PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · நட்பியல்
பழைமை: Familiarity
About this chapter
பழைமை, familiarity, is about the friendship of long standing and the liberties that it allows. Where chapter 80 asks how to choose a friend, this chapter asks how to behave once a friendship is old.
Kural 801 defines familiarity as friendship that no liberty can damage. Kurals 802 to 804 develop the idea: the right to take liberties is part of the frame of friendship, the wise should welcome it, and old friendship is of no use if friends refuse to accept what is done in its name, including acts done unasked. Kural 805 is a mature reminder that when a friend does something painful, it should be put down to folly or to the claim of intimacy, not to ill-will. Kurals 806 and 807 say true friends do not leave old friendships even in loss, and do not stop loving even when a friend's act brings ruin. Kural 808 says that those strong in intimacy do not listen to talk about the faults of their friends. Kurals 809 and 810 end with the reward: the world loves those who never drop old friends, and even ill-wishers come to like those who never change toward them.
Kural 805 is the most useful, since it gives a rule for handling a hurt from a friend. Kural 808 is its companion about gossip.
For the syllabus, it fits universal values and everyday life.
The 10 kurals of பழைமை
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
பழைமை எனப்படுவது யாதெனின் யாதும்
கிழமையைக் கீழ்ந்திடா நட்பு.
Pazhaimai Enappatuvadhu Yaadhenin Yaadhum
Kizhamaiyaik Keezhndhitaa Natpu
Familiarity is friendship's silent pact, That puts restraint on no familiar act
நட்பிற் குறுப்புக் கெழுதகைமை மற்றதற்கு
உப்பாதல் சான்றோர் கடன்.
Natpir Kuruppuk Kezhudhakaimai Matradharku
Uppaadhal Saandror Katan
Familiar freedom friendship's very frame supplies; To be its savour sweet is duty of the wise
பழகிய நட்பெவன் செய்யுங் கெழுதகைமை
செய்தாங்கு அமையாக் கடை.
Pazhakiya Natpevan Seyyung Kezhudhakaimai
Seydhaangu Amaiyaak Katai
When to familiar acts men kind response refuse, What fruit from ancient friendship's use
விழைதகையான் வேண்டி இருப்பர் கெழுதகையாற்
கேளாது நட்டார் செயின்.
Vizhaidhakaiyaan Venti Iruppar Kezhudhakaiyaar
Kelaadhu Nattaar Seyin
When friends unbidden do familiar acts with loving heart, Friends take the kindly deed in friendly part
பேதைமை ஒன்றோ பெருங்கிழமை என்றுணர்க
நோதக்க நட்டார் செயின்.
Pedhaimai Ondro Perungizhamai Endrunarka
Nodhakka Nattaar Seyin
Not folly merely, but familiar carelessness, Esteem it, when your friends cause you distress
எல்லைக்கண் நின்றார் துறவார் தொலைவிடத்தும்
தொல்லைக்கண் நின்றார் தொடர்பு.
Ellaikkan Nindraar Thuravaar Tholaivitaththum
Thollaikkan Nindraar Thotarpu
Who stand within the bounds quit not, though loss impends, Association with the old familiar friends
அழிவந்த செய்யினும் அன்பறார் அன்பின்
வழிவந்த கேண்மை யவர்.
Azhivandha Seyyinum Anparaar Anpin
Vazhivandha Kenmai Yavar
True friends, well versed in loving ways, Cease not to love, when friend their love betrays
கேளிழுக்கம் கேளாக் கெழுதகைமை வல்லார்க்கு
நாளிழுக்கம் நட்டார் செயின்.
Kelizhukkam Kelaak Kezhudhakaimai Vallaarkku
Naalizhukkam Nattaar Seyin
In strength of friendship rare of friend's disgrace who will not hear, The day his friend offends will day of grace to him appear
கெடாஅ வழிவந்த கேண்மையார் கேண்மை
விடாஅர் விழையும் உலகு.
Ketaaa Vazhivandha Kenmaiyaar Kenmai
Vitaaar Vizhaiyum Ulaku
Friendship of old and faithful friends, Who ne'er forsake, the world commends
விழையார் விழையப் படுப பழையார்கண்
பண்பின் தலைப்பிரியா தார்.
Vizhaiyaar Vizhaiyap Patupa Pazhaiyaarkan
Panpin Thalaippiriyaa Thaar
Ill-wishers even wish them well, who guardFor ancient friends, their wonted kind regard
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