Tirukural

CHAPTER 82

Harmful Friendship

811

Though unscrupulous men may seem to consume you in friendship, their companionship grows more delightful as it declines.§

812

What does it matter if one gains or loses the friendship of manipulators who befriend to gain and otherwise forsake?§

813

Prostitutes, thieves and people who make friends to make money are all alike.§

814

Some men are like an untrained horse that throws its rider on the battlefield. Loneliness is better than their friendship.§

815

Better to give up than to gain the friendship of inferior men who stay away when they should stay and help.§

816

The enmity of the wise is ten million times better than intimate friendship with fools.§

817

An enemy’s rancor is a hundred million times more worthwhile than companionship with fellows who always clown around.§

818

If friends feign inability to discharge reasonable tasks, remain silent and gradually give up their friendship.§

819

The fellowship of men whose acts belie their spoken words is bitter, even in dreams.§

820

There are men who will cherish you in private but censure you in public—avoid their every befriending approach.§