The Kural or the Maxims of Tiruvalluvar/Chapter 80
CHAPTER 80
TESTING OF FITNESS FOR FRIENDSHIP
791. There is no greater ill than making a friend without first testing him : for, once a friendship is formed, there is no giving it up for the man of heart.
792. Behold the man that maketh men his friends without previously testing them: he courteth disasters which will only end in his death.
793. Take into thy consideration the family of the man whom thou desirest to make thy friend, his virtues and his vices, and the whole range of his associates and connexions : and then befriend him if he is worthy.
794. Behold the man who is born of a good family and who dreadeth disgrace: one ought to acquire his friendship even by paying a price for it if necessary.
795. Look for the men who know the way of the wise and can reprove and chastise thee whenever thou go astray : and make them thy friends.
796. There is a virtue even in misfortune : for it is the rod wherewith to measure thy friends.
797. To discard the friendship of fools, that is veritable profit for a man.
798. Think not the thoughts that depress the heart: nor make the friendship of men who will abandon thee the moment thou art down.
799. The friendship of men that betray in the day of disaster would burn the heart that thinketh on it even at the moment of death.
800. Cultivate with ardour the friendship of the pure; as to men that are unworthy of thee, discard thou their association even if it be by giving them a present.
