Harmful Friendship
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ceytēmañ cārāc ciṟiyavar puṉkēṇmai / yeytali ṉeytāmai naṉṟu.
“'Tis better not to gain than gain the friendship profitless / Of men of little minds, who succour fails when dangers press.”
“Behold the vile men that forsake a trusting friend at the time of his need: it is better not to possess their friendship than to possess it.”
It is better not to acquire the poor friendship of those who fail to become protection even after help has been rendered to them.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
செய்து ஏமம் சாராச் சிறியவர் புன்கேண்மை = செய்து வைத்தாலும் அரண்ஆகாத கீழ்மக்களது தீநட்பு; எய்தலின் எய்தாமை நன்று = ஒருவர்க்கு உண்டாதலின் இல்லையாதல் நன்று.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Better to have no friendship at all than to endure the miserable alliance of petty souls who fail to provide safety or support even after receiving countless kindnesses.