Kural #800
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Tamil text
மருவுக மாசற்றார் கேண்மையொன்
றீத்தும் ஒருவுக ஒப்பிலார் நட்பு
Maruvuka māsaṟṟār kēṇmaiyoṉ
Ṟīttum oruvuka oppilār naṭpu
English translation
Cherish the friendship of the faultless; abandon the friendship of the unfitting even if it costs something.
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Explanation
Embrace (மருவுக) friendship with the faultless (மாசற்றார்). Abandon (ஒருவுக) friendship with the unworthy (ஒப்பிலார்) even at some cost (ஒன்று ஈத்தும்).
விளக்கம்
குற்றமில்லாதவர்களின் நட்பை போற்றுங்கள். தகுதி இல்லாதவர்களின் நட்பை, எதை இழந்தாலும் விட்டுவிடுங்கள். நட்பாராய்தல் அதிகாரத்தில், நல்ல நண்பர்களை தேர்ந்தெடுப்பதன் முக்கியத்துவத்தை இது காட்டுகிறது. நல்ல நட்பு வாழ்க்கைக்கு அவசியம்.
Word meanings
- மருவுகmaruvukaembrace/cherish
- மாசுmācufault
- அற்றார்aṟṟārthose without
- கேண்மைkēṇmaifriendship
- ஒன்றுoṉṟusomething
- ஈத்தும்īttumeven giving
- ஒருவுகoruvukaabandon
- ஒப்புoppufitness/equality
- இலார்ilārthose without
- நட்புnaṭpufriendship
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a shimmering river lived two merchants, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his honesty, his word as solid as the granite hills. Bala, however, was known for his charm, but his dealings often left a trail of deceit. One year, a great famine struck. Arun, though struggling, shared his dwindling grain with those in need. Bala, seeing an opportunity, hoarded his own supplies, selling them at exorbitant prices. He offered Arun a partnership, promising riches beyond imagination. Arun, knowing Bala's character, hesitated. The partnership would surely bring wealth, but at what cost? He remembered the village elder’s words: “True friendship is a treasure; false friendship, a burden.” Arun politely declined the offer, choosing to support his community instead. Soon, the famine passed. Arun, though poorer, was respected and loved. Bala, wealthy but alone, found his riches could not buy him the one thing he truly needed: genuine companionship.