Kural #795
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
அழச்சொல்லி அல்லது இடித்து
வழக்கறிய நட்பாராய்வது ஒன்று
Aḻaccolli allatu iṭittu
Vaḻakkaṟiya naṭpārāyvatu oṉṟu
English translation
One way to test friendship is to see if they speak harsh truths that hurt, to correct and guide to the right path.
Listen
Explanation
Test friends by whether they speak painful truths (அழ சொல்லி - speaking to make you cry) and இடித்து (admonish/correct). Those who guide to right conduct (வழக்கு அறிய) are true friends.
விளக்கம்
உண்மையான நண்பர்கள் நம்மைத் திருத்த அழும் அளவுக்குக் கடிந்து பேசுவார்கள். தவறான வழியில் போகாமல் நல்ல வழியில் நடக்க உதவுவார்கள். நட்பாராய்தல் அதிகாரத்தில், இதுவே சிறந்த நட்புக்கான அடையாளம்.
Word meanings
- அழaḻato cry/painfully
- சொல்லிcollispeaking
- அல்லதுallatuor
- இடித்துiṭittuadmonishing
- வழக்குvaḻakkuright conduct
- அறியaṟiyato know
- நட்புnaṭpufriendship
- ஆராய்வதுārāyvatutesting
- ஒன்றுoṉṟuone way
Story behind this kural
In a humble village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two friends, Arun and Bala. Arun, a skilled potter, often created beautiful but flawed vessels. Bala, a kind but honest soul, always admired Arun's work, but couldn't help but notice the cracks that marred some of the pots. One day, Arun presented Bala with a newly crafted vase. "What do you think?" he asked eagerly. Bala, after careful inspection, pointed out the hairline fractures near the rim. Arun's face fell, stung by the criticism. He felt a moment of anger towards his friend. Later, Arun showed the vase to other villagers, who, eager to please, showered him with compliments. Returning home, Arun found Bala patiently mending a cracked pot. "Why did you tell me the truth, when others praised my work?" Arun questioned. Bala smiled, "A true friend helps you become better, even if the truth hurts at first. The others only want to admire the beauty." Arun understood, and from that day forward, valued Bala's honest guidance above all else.