Scrutiny Of Friendship [from 'naaladiyaar' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

211. Friendship with the wise who know the deep meaning
of the works, increases sweetness like eating
of sugar-cane from its top; but with the mean
it's eating from the root as the taste falls on.

212. O you the owner of fresh golden floods,
streaming down, birds-scared, hilly terrains! Friendship,
made is on the trust in unchanging high birth
and not by knowing one's disposition.

213. Form not friendship with elephant-minded folk
as the elephant kills his mahout known well.
Befriend dog-like folk as the dog wags its tail
e'en when the spear aimed at his master mishit him.

214. Maybe neighbours for long but who'll make friendship
when their hearts don't get close e'en for a few days!
Though they drift ‘part for long, will they give up love
if their hearts are woven together?

215. Blossoms on the branches once blown don't close
till they fall out; seek so lasting friendship.
Buds in a dug up pond bloom at dawn
and close at dusk. Be not friend them who roll on.

216 Friendship with the lowly needs water often
as for Areca. The middle coconuts
want water every week. Friendship with the high
like the palm needs water while seeding alone.

217. E'en the black greens cooked in dirty water
Is nectar to eat when cherished friends give.
When loathed ones give seasoned white rice with relish
It's bitter to eat like strychnine nuts.

218. Friends close like dog's feet will be of no use
when they help not e'en the size of legs of flies.
Seek the friendship of those who help as canals
to feed the fields ‘far with water to breed corns.

219. Malice of the dull is better than their friendship.
Better to die than to live in plague deadly.
To kill is better than to hurt one's heart.
Better to scold than to praise skills, not in one.

220. Choose apt men; be clear to befriend them for long,
and respect them. To nurture friendship
with snake-like biting and killing people
and fracture it later, too, is painful!