The Kural or the Maxims of Tiruvalluvar/Chapter 81
CHAPTER 81
INTIMACY
801. That friendship is called intimacy which submitteth without resenting to all the freedoms taken by the beloved one.
802. To be free and easy with each other, that is the heart of true friendship : and it is the part of worthy men never to resent such familiarities.
803. Of what avail is friendship that is longstanding if it acquiesceth not in the liberties taken in its name?
804. When friends rely on their intimacy and do a thing without leave, the warm-hearted will think of their love and will take it in good part.
805. When friends do a thing that paineth thee, account thou it as much to their feeling of perfect oneness with thee as to their ignorance.
806. The perfect friend giveth not up the friend of his heart even though he hath been the cause of his ruin.
807. Behold the man who hath loved dearly and long: he bateth not in his affection for his friend even though he cause him damage frequently.
808. Behold the men who refuse to listen to any imputations against the friend of their bosom: the day that he doth them an injury is a feast-day unto them.[1]
809. Behold the man who loveth another with a deathless affection : the whole world will hold him dear.
810. Behold the men that alter not in their affection for their old friends : even enemies will look upon them with tenderness.
- ↑ For it gives them an opportunity to show the depth of their love by pardoning the injury without uttering a word of reproach.