Examining Friendship
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kuṭippiṟantu taṉkaṭ paḻināṇu vāṉaik / koṭuttuṅ koḷalvēṇṭu naṭpu.
“Who, born of noble race, from guilt would shrink with shame, / Pay any price so you as friend that man may claim.”
“Behold the man who is born of a good family and who dreadeth disgrace: one ought to acquire his friendship even by paying a price for it if necessary.”
One should secure, even at some cost, the friendship of a person born to high status who feels shame at blame against himself.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
குடிப்பிறந்து தன்கண் பழிநாணுவானை= உயர்ந்த குடியின்கண் பிறந்து, தன் மாட்டு உலகர் சொல்லும் பழிக்கு அஞ்சுவானை; கொடுத்தும் நட்புக் கொளல் வேண்டும்= சில கொடுத்தாயினும் நட்புக் கோடல் சிறந்தது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
When you find a person of noble heritage who instinctively shrinks from dishonor and wrongdoing, secure their friendship even at great personal cost.