PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · நட்பியல்
தீ நட்பு: Evil Friendship
About this chapter
தீ நட்பு, evil friendship, describes the wrong kind of friend: the one who is warm only when there is something to gain, and who disappears in trouble. It is the other side of chapter 80.
Kural 811 says that friendship with people of no character is better when it shrinks than when it grows. Kural 812 asks what it matters to gain or lose the friendship of those who stay while you prosper and leave when you do not. Kural 813 puts friends who weigh up their gain on a par with takers and thieves. Kural 814 compares such friends to an untrained horse that throws its rider on the battlefield, so solitude is better. Kural 815 says it is better not to gain the friendship of small-minded people who cannot protect you. Kurals 816 and 817 make a bold claim, that the hatred of the wise, or the enmity of open foes, is worth many millions of times more than the friendship of fools and flatterers. Kural 818 advises quietly dropping friends who pretend they cannot do what they can. The last two kurals warn against friends whose words and deeds differ, whose friendship is bitter even in dreams (Kural 819), and those who are warm in private and ridicule you in public (Kural 820).
Kural 819 and Kural 820 are the easiest to apply. Kural 814 has the most vivid image.
For the syllabus, it fits universal values and everyday life.
The 10 kurals of தீ நட்பு
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.
பருகுவார் போலினும் பண்பிலார் கேண்மை
பெருகலிற் குன்றல் இனிது.
Parukuvaar Polinum Panpilaar Kenmai
Perukalir Kundral Inidhu
Though evil men should all-absorbing friendship show, Their love had better die away than grow
உறின்நட்டு அறினொருஉம் ஒப்பிலார் கேண்மை
பெறினும் இழப்பினும் என்?
Urinnattu Arinoruum Oppilaar Kenmai
Perinum Izhappinum En?
What though you gain or lose friendship of men of alien heart, Who when you thrive are friends, and when you fail depart
உறுவது சீர்தூக்கும் நட்பும் பெறுவது
கொள்வாரும் கள்வரும் நேர்.
Uruvadhu Seerdhookkum Natpum Peruvadhu
Kolvaarum Kalvarum Ner
These are alike: the friends who ponder friendship's gainThose who accept whate'er you give, and all the plundering train
அமரகத்து ஆற்றறுக்கும் கல்லாமா அன்னார்
தமரின் தனிமை தலை.
Amarakaththu Aatrarukkum Kallaamaa Annaar
Thamarin Thanimai Thalai
A steed untrained will leave you in the tug of war; Than friends like that to dwell alone is better far
செய்தேமஞ் சாராச் சிறியவர் புன்கேண்மை
எய்தலின் எய்தாமை நன்று.
Seydhemanj Chaaraach Chiriyavar Punkenmai
Eydhalin Eydhaamai Nandru
'Tis better not to gain than gain the friendship profitlessOf men of little minds, who succour fails when dangers press
பேதை பெருங்கெழீஇ நட்பின் அறிவுடையார்
ஏதின்மை கோடி உறும்.
Pedhai Perungezheei Natpin Arivutaiyaar
Edhinmai Koti Urum
Better ten million times incur the wise man's hate, Than form with foolish men a friendship intimate
நகைவகைய ராகிய நட்பின் பகைவரால்
பத்தடுத்த கோடி உறும்.
Nakaivakaiya Raakiya Natpin Pakaivaraal
Paththatuththa Koti Urum
From foes ten million fold a greater good you gain, Than friendship yields that's formed with laughers vain
ஒல்லும் கருமம் உடற்று பவர்கேண்மை
சொல்லாடார் சோர விடல்.
Ollum Karumam Utatru Pavarkenmai
Sollaataar Sora Vital
Those men who make a grievous toil of what they doOn your behalf, their friendship silently eschew
கனவினும் இன்னாது மன்னோ வினைவேறு
சொல்வேறு பட்டார் தொடர்பு.
Kanavinum Innaadhu Manno Vinaiveru
Solveru Pattaar Thotarpu
E'en in a dream the intercourse is bitternessWith men whose deeds are other than their words profess
எனைத்தும் குறுகுதல் ஓம்பல் மனைக்கெழீஇ
மன்றில் பழிப்பார் தொடர்பு.
Enaiththum Kurukudhal Ompal Manaikkezheei
Mandril Pazhippaar Thotarpu
In anywise maintain not intercourse with those, Who in the house are friends, in hall are slandering foes
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