Skip to main content

Not available in the United States yet. Join the waitlist

Kural #792

Wealth· பொருள்Testing Friendship· நட்பாராய்தல்

Last reviewed:

Tamil text

ஆய்ந்தாய்ந்து கொள்ளாதான் கேண்மை

கடைமுறை தான்சாம் துயரம் தரும்

Āyntāyntu koḷḷātāṉ kēṇmai

Kaṭaimuṟai tāṉcām tuyaram tarum

English translation

The friendship of one who does not examine thoroughly will bring sorrow at the end, even unto death.

Listen

Explanation

Not examining (ஆய்ந்து ஆய்ந்து கொள்ளாதான்) before befriending leads to கடைமுறை துயரம் (sorrow at the end). This suffering can be so severe it accompanies one to death (தான் சாம்).

விளக்கம்

ஆராயாமல் நட்பு கொண்டால், அது முடியும் போது பெரிய துன்பம் தரும். நட்பாராய்தல் அதிகாரத்தில், ஒருவரை நன்கு தெரிந்து கொள்ளாமல் நண்பனாக்கினால், சாகும் வரையிலும் வருத்தம் வரும். ஆகையால், சிந்தித்து நட்பு கொள்.

Word meanings

  • ஆய்ந்துāyntuexamining
  • கொள்ளாதான்koḷḷātāṉone who does not take
  • கேண்மைkēṇmaifriendship
  • கடைமுறைkaṭaimuṟaiat the end
  • தான்tāṉoneself
  • சாம்cāmdying
  • துயரம்tuyaramsorrow
  • தரும்tarumgives

Story behind this kural

In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two young men, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his generosity, quickly befriended anyone in need. Bala, a shrewd merchant, observed the villagers closely, choosing his companions with care. One day, a traveling trader arrived, claiming to possess magical seeds that promised endless harvests. Arun, swept away by the man’s charm and promises of wealth, eagerly invested all his savings. Bala, however, cautiously questioned the trader's claims, noticing inconsistencies in his story. He politely declined to invest. Arun's fields, sown with the magical seeds, yielded nothing. His savings vanished, and the trader disappeared. Arun was left with nothing but regret. Bala, meanwhile, continued to prosper, his careful choices protecting him from ruin. Arun, humbled and saddened, understood the true value of discerning judgment.