Evil Friendship

Though evil men should all-absorbing friendship show,
Their love had better die away than grow

Explanation
The decrease of friendship with those who look as if they would eat you up (through excess of love) while they are really destitute of goodness is far better than its increase.

Tamil Transliteration
Parukuvaar Polinum Panpilaar Kenmai
Perukalir Kundral Inidhu.

What though you gain or lose friendship of men of alien heart,
Who when you thrive are friends, and when you fail depart

Explanation
Of what avail is it to get or lose the friendship of those who love when there is gain and leave when there is none ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Urinnattu Arinoruum Oppilaar Kenmai
Perinum Izhappinum En?.

These are alike: the friends who ponder friendship's gain
Those who accept whate'er you give, and all the plundering train

Explanation
Friendship who calculate the profits (of their friendship), prostitutes who are bent on obtaining their gains, and thieves are (all) of the same character.

Tamil Transliteration
Uruvadhu Seerdhookkum Natpum Peruvadhu
Kolvaarum Kalvarum Ner.

A steed untrained will leave you in the tug of war;
Than friends like that to dwell alone is better far

Explanation
Solitude is more to be desired than the society of those who resemble the untrained horses which throw down (their riders) in the fields of battle.

Tamil Transliteration
Amarakaththu Aatrarukkum Kallaamaa Annaar
Thamarin Thanimai Thalai.

'Tis better not to gain than gain the friendship profitless
Of men of little minds, who succour fails when dangers press

Explanation
It is far better to avoid that to contract the evil friendship of the base who cannot protect (their friends) even when appointed to do so.

Tamil Transliteration
Seydhemanj Chaaraach Chiriyavar Punkenmai
Eydhalin Eydhaamai Nandru.

Better ten million times incur the wise man's hate,
Than form with foolish men a friendship intimate

Explanation
The hatred of the wise is ten-million times more profitable than the excessive intimacy of the fool.

Tamil Transliteration
Pedhai Perungezheei Natpin Arivutaiyaar
Edhinmai Koti Urum.

From foes ten million fold a greater good you gain,
Than friendship yields that's formed with laughers vain

Explanation
What comes from enemies is a hundred million times more profitable than what comes from the friendship of those who cause only laughter.

Tamil Transliteration
Nakaivakaiya Raakiya Natpin Pakaivaraal
Paththatuththa Koti Urum.

Those men who make a grievous toil of what they do
On your behalf, their friendship silently eschew

Explanation
Gradually abandon without revealing (beforehand) the friendship of those who pretend inability to carry out what they (really) could do.

Tamil Transliteration
Ollum Karumam Utatru Pavarkenmai
Sollaataar Sora Vital.

E'en in a dream the intercourse is bitterness
With men whose deeds are other than their words profess

Explanation
The friendship of those whose actions do not agree with their words will distress (one) even in (one's) dreams.

Tamil Transliteration
Kanavinum Innaadhu Manno Vinaiveru
Solveru Pattaar Thotarpu.

In anywise maintain not intercourse with those,
Who in the house are friends, in hall are slandering foes

Explanation
Avoid even the least approach to a contraction of friendship with those who would love you in private but ridicule you in public.

Tamil Transliteration
Enaiththum Kurukudhal Ompal Manaikkezheei
Mandril Pazhippaar Thotarpu.