Kural #794
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Tamil text
குடிப்பிறந்து தன்கண் பழிநாணு வானைக்
கொடுத்தும் கொளல்வேண்டும் நட்பு
Kuṭippiṟantu taṉkaṇ paḻināṇu vāṉaik
Koṭuttum koḷalvēṇṭum naṭpu
English translation
The friendship of one born in a good family who is ashamed of blame should be acquired even at a cost.
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Explanation
Seek friendship with those who are குடிப்பிறந்து (well-born) and பழி நாணுவான் (ashamed of blame/disgrace). Such a friend is worth any price (கொடுத்தும் கொளல்).
விளக்கம்
நல்ல குடும்பத்தில் பிறந்து, தப்பு செய்ய வெட்கப்படுபவரின் நட்பை விலை கொடுத்தும் வாங்கணும். நட்பு ஆராய்தல் அதிகாரத்தில், நல்ல நண்பரின் மதிப்பு உயர்ந்தது என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். ஒழுக்கமான நண்பர் கிடைப்பது அரிது.
Word meanings
- குடிkuṭifamily/lineage
- பிறந்துpiṟantuborn
- தன்கண்taṉkaṇon oneself
- பழிpaḻiblame/disgrace
- நாணுவான்nāṇuvāṉone who is ashamed
- கொடுத்தும்koṭuttumeven giving
- கொளல்koḷalacquiring
- வேண்டும்vēṇṭumshould
- நட்புnaṭpufriendship
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a shimmering river lived two merchants, Arun and Bala. Arun, born to a family of traders, possessed a reputation for fairness and honesty. Bala, though wealthy, was known for his quick temper and careless dealings. One year, a devastating flood swept through the village, destroying homes and businesses. Arun, despite losing much, immediately offered aid to his neighbors, sharing what little he had. Bala, however, hoarded his remaining goods, fearing further loss. Seeing Arun’s generosity, a desperate villager approached Bala, begging for supplies. Bala, seeing an opportunity, demanded an exorbitant price. When the villager mentioned Arun's kindness, Bala scoffed, "Kindness doesn't fill your belly!" Later, when the villagers rebuilt their lives, they favored Arun's shop, valuing his integrity. Bala, isolated and alone, watched his wealth dwindle. He learned that true riches lie not in possessions, but in the character of one's companions.