Kural #817
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Tamil text
நகைவகைய ராகிய நட்பின்
பகைவரால் பத்தடுத்த கோடி உறும்
Nakaivakaya rākiya naṭpiṉ
Pakaivarāl pattaṭutta kōṭi uṟum
English translation
Open enemies are ten billion times better than friends who only laugh outwardly.
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Explanation
Those who are friends only in laughter (நகை வகையர் ஆகிய நட்பு - friendship of smiling faces only) are worse than declared enemies (பகைவர்). Open enemies are பத்து அடுத்த கோடி (ten billion) times better.
விளக்கம்
நகைச்சுப் பேசி உள்ளுக்குள் தீங்கு நினைக்கும் நண்பர்களை விட, வெளிப்படையான பகைவர்களே மேல். அவர்கள் பத்து கோடி மடங்கு நல்லது செய்வார்கள். தீய நட்பு அதிகாரத்தில், இது போன்ற போலியான நட்பைத் தவிர்க்கச் சொல்கிறார் வள்ளுவர்.
Word meanings
- நகைnakailaughter
- வகையர்vakaiyarthose of that kind
- ஆகியākiyabeing
- நட்பின்naṭpiṉthan friendship
- பகைவரால்pakaivarālby enemies
- பத்துpattuten
- அடுத்தaṭuttafollowing
- கோடிkōṭiten million
- உறும்uṟumequals
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two merchants, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his booming laughter and lavish feasts, always quick with a joke and a smile. Bala, though quieter, was known for his sharp mind and honest dealings. When a harsh winter arrived, Arun’s business faltered. He continued to laugh, assuring everyone that brighter days were just around the corner, yet offered no real help. Bala, facing the same hardship, quietly shared his dwindling supplies and offered shrewd advice on weathering the storm. As spring arrived, Arun's business remained in ruins. Many villagers, having followed his empty reassurances, found themselves in dire straits. Bala, though his resources were stretched, had helped those who listened to his wise counsel. The villagers then understood the true measure of a friend.