Kural #803
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Tamil text
பழகிய நட்பெவன் செய்யுங்
கெழுதகைமை செய்தாங்கு அமையாக் கடை
Paḻakiya naṭpevaṉ ceyyuṅ
Keḻutakaimai ceytāṅku amaiyāk kaṭai
English translation
Of what use is long friendship if one does not act with the intimacy that comes with it?
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Explanation
Long acquaintance (பழகிய நட்பு) is worthless if one does not act with appropriate கெழுதகைமை (intimate familiarity). Duration without depth is meaningless.
விளக்கம்
பழைய நட்பு, நெருக்கமான உறவைப் போல இல்லாவிட்டால் பயனில்லை. உண்மையான நட்பு, பழகிய காலத்தை வைத்து மட்டும் அளவிடப்படுவதில்லை; அன்பையும் உரிமையையும் காட்டுவதில்தான் இருக்கிறது. பழைமை அதிகாரத்தில், நட்பின் ஆழமே முக்கியம் என்பதை வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார்.
Word meanings
- பழகியpaḻakiyalong-standing
- நட்புnaṭpufriendship
- எவன்evaṉwhat
- செய்யும்ceyyumwill do
- கெழுதகைமைkeḻutakaimaiintimacy
- செய்தாங்குceytāṅkuas should be done
- அமையாamaiyānot fitting
- கடைkaṭaiwhen/end
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two childhood friends, Elias and Thomas. They had known each other since they were children, sharing secrets under the boughs of ancient trees. Elias, a humble farmer, often found himself in need, and Thomas, a wealthy merchant, never failed to offer assistance. However, as the years passed, Thomas grew distant. Though he still offered aid, his manner became cold, his generosity measured. He would send his servants with the needed goods, never visiting Elias's home, never sharing a meal, never offering a kind word beyond the necessary transaction. One harsh winter, Elias's crops failed. He went to Thomas, not for charity, but for the warmth of their old friendship. Thomas, from behind the closed doors of his grand house, sent out his servants with provisions. Elias, standing in the biting wind, felt a chill deeper than the cold, a sorrow that went beyond his empty granary.