Chapter 82: Evil Friendship

பருகுவார் போலினும் பண்பிலார் கேண்மை
பெருகலிற் குன்றல் இனிது.

Parukuvaar Polinum Panpilaar Kenmai
Perukalir Kundral Inidhu

Swallowing love of soulless men Had better wane than wax anon

Meaning: The decrease of friendship with those who look as if they would eat you up (through excess of love) while they are really destitute of goodness is far better than its increase

உறின்நட்டு அறினொருஉம் ஒப்பிலார் கேண்மை
பெறினும் இழப்பினும் என்?

Urinnattu Arinoruum Oppilaar Kenmai
Perinum Izhappinum En?

Who fawn in wealth and fail in dearth Gain or lose; such friends have no worth

Meaning: Of what avail is it to get or lose the friendship of those who love when there is gain and leave when there is none ?

உறுவது சீர்தூக்கும் நட்பும் பெறுவது
கொள்வாரும் கள்வரும் நேர்.

Uruvadhu Seerdhookkum Natpum Peruvadhu
Kolvaarum Kalvarum Ner

Cunning friends who calculate Are like thieves and whores wicked

Meaning: Friendship who calculate the profits (of their friendship), prostitutes who are bent on obtaining their gains, and thieves are (all) of the same character

அமரகத்து ஆற்றறுக்கும் கல்லாமா அன்னார்
தமரின் தனிமை தலை.

Amarakaththu Aatrarukkum Kallaamaa Annaar
Thamarin Thanimai Thalai

Better be alone than trust in those That throw in field like faithless horse

Meaning: Solitude is more to be desired than the society of those who resemble the untrained horses which throw down (their riders) in the fields of battle

செய்தேமஞ் சாராச் சிறியவர் புன்கேண்மை
எய்தலின் எய்தாமை நன்று.

Seydhemanj Chaaraach Chiriyavar Punkenmai
Eydhalin Eydhaamai Nandru

Friends low and mean that give no help- Leave them is better than to keep

Meaning: It is far better to avoid that to contract the evil friendship of the base who cannot protect (their friends) even when appointed to do so

பேதை பெருங்கெழீஇ நட்பின் அறிவுடையார்
ஏதின்மை கோடி உறும்.

Pedhai Perungezheei Natpin Arivutaiyaar
Edhinmai Koti Urum

Million times the wise man's hate Is better than a fool intimate

Meaning: The hatred of the wise is ten-million times more profitable than the excessive intimacy of the fool

நகைவகைய ராகிய நட்பின் பகைவரால்
பத்தடுத்த கோடி உறும்.

Nakaivakaiya Raakiya Natpin Pakaivaraal
Paththatuththa Koti Urum

Ten-fold crore you gain from foes Than from friends who are vain laughers

Meaning: What comes from enemies is a hundred million times more profitable than what comes from the friendship of those who cause only laughter

ஒல்லும் கருமம் உடற்று பவர்கேண்மை
சொல்லாடார் சோர விடல்.

Ollum Karumam Utatru Pavarkenmai
Sollaataar Sora Vital

Without a word those friends eschew Who spoil deeds which they can do

Meaning: Gradually abandon without revealing (beforehand) the friendship of those who pretend inability to carry out what they (really) could do

கனவினும் இன்னாது மன்னோ வினைவேறு
சொல்வேறு பட்டார் தொடர்பு.

Kanavinum Innaadhu Manno Vinaiveru
Solveru Pattaar Thotarpu

Even in dreams the tie is bad With those whose deed is far from word

Meaning: The friendship of those whose actions do not agree with their words will distress (one) even in (one's) dreams

எனைத்தும் குறுகுதல் ஓம்பல் மனைக்கெழீஇ
மன்றில் பழிப்பார் தொடர்பு.

Enaiththum Kurukudhal Ompal Manaikkezheei
Mandril Pazhippaar Thotarpu

Keep aloof from those that smile At home and in public revile

Meaning: Avoid even the least approach to a contraction of friendship with those who would love you in private but ridicule you in public