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Kural #797

Wealth· பொருள்Testing Friendship· நட்பாராய்தல்

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Tamil text

ஊதியம் என்பது ஒருவற்குப்

பேதையார் கேண்மை ஒரீஇ விடல்

Ūtiyam eṉpatu oruvaṟkup

Pētaiyār kēṇmai orīi viṭal

English translation

True profit for a person is to abandon the friendship of fools.

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Explanation

The greatest ஊதியம் (profit/benefit) one can gain is abandoning (ஒரீஇ விடல்) the கேண்மை (friendship) of பேதையார் (fools). Removing bad friendships is itself a gain.

விளக்கம்

பேதையர் நட்பு துன்பம் தரும். அறிவில்லாதவர்களுடன் கொண்ட நட்பை விடுவதே ஒருவனுக்கு லாபம். நட்பாராய்தல் அதிகாரத்தில், நல்ல நண்பர்களைத் தேர்ந்தெடுப்பது முக்கியம் என்பதை இது காட்டுகிறது. கெட்ட நட்பை நீக்குவதே நன்மை.

Word meanings

  • ஊதியம்ūtiyamprofit/benefit
  • என்பதுeṉpatuwhat is called
  • ஒருவற்குoruvaṟkufor a person
  • பேதையார்pētaiyārfools
  • கேண்மைkēṇmaifriendship
  • ஒரீஇorīiabandoning
  • விடல்viṭalletting go

Story behind this kural

In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two friends, Arun and Bala. Arun was a diligent farmer, his days filled with tending his fields. Bala, however, was known for his love of idle chatter and frivolous pursuits. One year, a harsh drought struck the village. Arun, with his careful planning, had stored ample grain. Bala, having spent his time on festivals and games, found his storehouses empty. He pleaded with Arun for help. Arun, despite his friend's shortcomings, offered a generous portion. But Bala, instead of using the grain wisely, squandered it on feasts and gambling. Soon, he was back, begging for more. Arun, seeing the pattern, gently refused. Bala, angered, spread rumors about Arun's supposed stinginess. Some villagers, swayed by Bala's tales, turned against Arun. Yet, Arun continued to thrive, his granaries full. He understood that true wealth lay not just in possessions, but in the company one keeps.