Kural #793
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Tamil text
குணனும் குடிமையும் குற்றமும் குன்றா
இனனும் அறிந்தியாக்க நட்பு
Kuṇaṉum kuṭimaiyum kuṟṟamum kuṉṟā
Iṉaṉum aṟintiyākka naṭpu
English translation
Know their character, family, faults, and constant companions before making friendship.
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Explanation
Before befriending, examine four things: குணன் (character), குடிமை (family background), குற்றம் (faults), and இனன் (associates). Thorough knowledge prevents future regret.
விளக்கம்
நண்பர்களைத் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கும் முன் அவர்களின் குணம், குடும்பம், குறைகள், பழக்கவழக்கங்களை ஆராய வேண்டும். நட்பாராய்தல் அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். நன்கு அறிந்த பின் நட்பு கொண்டால் பின்னாளில் வருந்தத் தேவையில்லை.
Word meanings
- குணன்kuṇaṉcharacter
- குடிமைkuṭimaifamily/lineage
- குற்றம்kuṟṟamfaults
- குன்றாkuṉṟāunchanging/constant
- இனன்iṉaṉcompanions/associates
- அறிந்துaṟintuknowing
- இயாக்கiyākkamake
- நட்புnaṭpufriendship
Story behind this kural
In a sun-drenched village lived two merchants, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his generosity, readily befriended anyone. Bala, however, was more cautious. One day, a charming stranger, Ravi, arrived. Arun, captivated by Ravi's wit, quickly offered him a partnership. Bala, observing Ravi's tendency to boast and his questionable companions, hesitated. He suggested they first learn more about Ravi's past. Arun, blinded by Ravi's charm, dismissed Bala’s concerns. Soon, Ravi, using Arun’s trust, began to mismanage their shared funds. He spent lavishly, bringing ruin upon their business. Bala, watching the downfall, felt a pang of sadness for his friend. He tried to help Arun recover, but the damage was done. Arun, humbled, learned a bitter lesson about judging a book by its cover. He realized Bala’s initial caution had been wise. The village whispered about Arun's misfortune and Bala's foresight.