Tirukural – Chapter 81
Chapter 81: Old Familiarity
Verse 807
A limb, fallen from a large tree, has broken the chariot and injured the passengers. In the foreground the maker of the chariot apologizes to the charioteer, who assures the man that it was not his fault.
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Weaver’s Wisdom
Verse 801
What is old familiarity? It is when neither friend
objects to liberties taken by the other.
Verse 802
Liberties taken by a friend are friendship’s rightful possession;
to allow them is the willing duty of wise men.
Verse 803
What is the purpose of long-standing fellowship
if friends’ familiar actions are not accepted as one’s own?
Verse 804
Familiar with familiarity, the wise are never annoyed
when friends do things without asking.
Verse 805
When friends do things that hurt you, attribute it
to unawareness or to the privileges of friendship.
Verse 806
Bound by brotherhood, true friends never break their bond
with an old comrade, even if he brings them loss.
Verse 807
Old friends do not forsake loving fellowships,
even when those they cherish happen to do them harm.
Verse 808
An intimate of any strength will never listen to faults said of friends;
and on the day a friend offends, he is content to keep silent.
Verse 809
The world cherishes faithful men who never forsake
old friendships, worn by time but unbroken.
Verse 810
Even ill-wishers will wish those well
who never abandon affection for old friends.
One Response to “Tirukural – Chapter 81”
From Our Gurus' Teachings
Archives are now available through 2001. Light colored days have no posts. 1998-2001 coming later.
March 28th, 2022 at 4:58 pm
“AUM”!.