Kural Chronicles

KURAL 813

PORUTPAAL

NATPIYAL

ADHIKAARAM 82: THEENATPU – EVIL FRIENDSHIPS

உறுவது சீர்தூக்கும் நட்பும் பெறுவது
கொள்வாரும் கள்வரும் நேர்.

Uruvathu seerthookkum natpum peruvathu

Kolvaarum kalvarum naer

Friends who calculate possible profits from friendships are similar to prostitutes and thieves.

Uruvathu: what you can get;  Seerthookum: weighing;  Natpu: friendship;  Peruvathu: receiving;  Kolvaar: one who accepts;  Kalvar: thief;  Naer: equal or similar

Friends who calculate possible profits from friendships are similar to prostitutes and thieves.

Ouch! Harsh isn’t that! The thing is, Valluvar places friendship very high in life. He dedicates an entire iyal – natpiyal to friendship. About 50 kurals are about friendship. Friendship is about being there for each other, about not judging but showing unconditional love and trust. It is something that is pure and good in a man’s life.

Now, if a man were to think of what he could get from a friendship; if he were to weigh profits and losses, pros and cons of being a friend to someone, he destroys the very essence of friendship. Valluvar places him on a par with prostitutes and thieves. You can’t get much lower than that!

 An interesting turn of phrase is used to describe prostitutes here – Peruvathu kolvaar – those who accept what material wealth is given them in return for their body rather than love.