Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 81 : Familiarity
 

Introductory Note

The idea of this chapter is the kindly indulgence due to old and tried friends.

I think this is especially composed for people who became kings or suddenly acquire positions of immense power.

Translation(s)

Familiarity is friendship’s silent pact that puts no restraint on familiar act.

 

Translation(s)

Familiar freedom supplies the very frame of friendship, to be its sweet savor (enjoyer) is duty of the wise.

Explanation

“The prudent bear complacently even the undue familiarity of those friends, with whom they are intimately united in friendship as the limbs with the body.”
- rendering by F. W. Ellis

Translation(s)

When to familiar act men refuse kind response, what is the fruit from use of ancient friendship?

 

Translation(s)

When friends unbidden do familiar with loving heart, friends take the kindly deed in friendly part (i.e. do not take offense).

Explanation

“Familiar acts are beautiful through love. – Shelley

Translation(s)

Familiar carelessness, but not folly merely, esteem it when your friends cause you distress.

“If thy friends do anything to offend thee, consider it the effect of either thoughtlessness, or of too great familiarity.”
-rendering by F. W. Ellis

 

Translation(s)

Those who stand within the bounds (of friendship) do not quit, though loss is impending, association with old familiar friends.

“Those constant in friendship will not forsake the society of those, who from old time have been faithful to them, even when they are injured by the connection.”
-rendering by F. W. Ellis

 

Translation(s)

True friends, well versed in loving ways, cease not to love when friends betray their love.

 

Translation(s)

Who will not hear, in strength of rare friendship, a friend’s disgrace? The day his friend offense will appear to him as day of grace.

“Those confirmed in the knowledge of the true nature of friendship listen not to the faults of their friends, although daily guilt of them.”
- rendering by F. W. Ellis

Explanation

Check meaning. Appears to mean: If a true and rare friend disgraces us; we must listen to him rather than take offense. In fact we should see it as a day of grace.

Translation(s)

The world commends friendship of old and faithful friends who never forsake.

Compare Dionysii Catonis disticha, de moribus, iv. 41 (Amstel. 1754.

“……………….”

Explanation

“These disticha, 145 in number, more resemble the Kurral than anything else I have found.” –Rev. G U Pope, p 294
Compare the following (iv. 19) with 400:
“…………………..”

"Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him: a new friend is as new wine; when it is old, thou shalt drink it with pleasure. "
- Bible, Old Testament

Translation(s)

Even ill-wishers wish them well who guard their wonted kind regard for ancient friends.

“Even their enemies will desire the love of those, who on account of ancient friendship, separate not from their friends, however culpable they may be.”
- rendering by F. W. Ellis]

 

Thiruvalluvar's Image on Coins Issued by Govt of India to mark
8th International Tamil Conference, 1995.

References