Kural #784
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Tamil text
நகுதற் பொருட்டன்று நட்டல்
மிகுதிக்கண் மேற்சென் றிடித்தற் பொருட்டு
Nakutaṟ poruṭṭaṉṟu naṭṭal
Mikutikkaṇ mēṟceṉ ṟiṭittaṟ poruṭṭu
English translation
Friendship is not for laughter alone; it is for reproaching and correcting when one goes astray.
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Explanation
True friendship is not merely for நகுதல் (laughing/enjoying). Its purpose is இடித்தல் (admonishing/correcting) when a friend errs (மிகுதிக்கண் - when going to excess). Friends keep each other on the right path.
விளக்கம்
நட்பு சிரித்து மகிழ மட்டும் இல்லை. நண்பன் தவறு செய்தால், அவனைத் திருத்திக் கண்டிப்பதே நட்பு. அதிகாரம் நட்பின் முக்கியத்துவத்தை உணர்த்துகிறது. நல்ல நண்பர்கள் ஒருவரை ஒருவர் நல்வழிப்படுத்துவர்.
Word meanings
- நகுதல்nakutallaughing/enjoying
- பொருட்டுporuṭṭufor the purpose of
- அன்றுaṉṟunot
- நட்டல்naṭṭalfriendship
- மிகுதிக்கண்mikutikkaṇwhen in excess
- மேல்mēlforward
- சென்றுceṉṟugoing
- இடித்தல்iṭittalreproaching/correcting
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two friends, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his quick wit and love of jest, while Bala possessed a quiet wisdom. One harvest season, Arun, flush with the profits from his grain, began to spend lavishly. He hosted grand feasts, bought expensive trinkets, and neglected his fields. Bala watched with growing concern. He saw the rich soil of Arun's land turning barren under his neglect. Finally, Bala spoke, "Arun, these celebrations are like a fleeting summer shower. Your wealth will vanish if you don't tend to its source." Arun, initially offended, scoffed at Bala's words. But as the winter winds howled, and his granary remained empty, he remembered Bala's warning. He swallowed his pride and sought Bala's help. Together, they worked to restore Arun's fields, and his fortunes.