Kural #820
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Tamil text
எனைத்தும் குறுகுதல் ஓம்பல்
மனைக்கெழீஇ மன்றில் பழிப்பார் தொடர்பு
Eṉaittum kuṟukutal ōmpal
Maṉaikkeḻīi maṉṟil paḻippār toṭarpu
English translation
Avoid at all costs the friendship of those who are intimate at home but defame in public.
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Explanation
This chapter concludes with a warning: completely avoid (எனைத்தும் குறுகுதல் ஓம்பல்) those who show intimacy at home (மனைக் கெழீஇ) but criticize in public (மன்றில் பழிப்பார்). Such two-faced friends are the worst.
விளக்கம்
வீட்டில் இனியவராய், வெளியில் பழிப்பவர் நட்பை அறவே நீக்கு. இது தீ நட்பு அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து. இத்தகையோர் இருமுகம் கொண்டவர்; தீங்கு தருவர். உண்மை நண்பர் குறை சொல்வதில்லை.
Word meanings
- எனைத்தும்eṉaittumin any way
- குறுகுதல்kuṟukutalapproaching
- ஓம்பல்ōmpalavoid
- மனைmaṉaihome
- கெழீஇkeḻīibeing intimate
- மன்றில்maṉṟilin public/assembly
- பழிப்பார்paḻippārthose who defame
- தொடர்புtoṭarpuconnection
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun often visited Bala's home, sharing meals and laughter with Bala’s family. They seemed the closest of friends. One day, a wealthy merchant arrived, seeking the finest harvest. Bala, envious of Arun's thriving fields, whispered to the merchant, “Arun's crops may look good, but his methods are flawed. The quality is not what it seems.” The merchant, hearing this, offered Bala a better deal, leaving Arun’s harvest untouched. Arun, confused, later confronted Bala. Bala, feigning ignorance, simply shrugged and walked away, his face unreadable. Arun, saddened, tended his fields alone. He learned that true friendship, like a bountiful harvest, requires honest roots and consistent care. The river continued its journey, indifferent to the shifting tides of human deceit.