The Kural or the Maxims of Tiruvalluvar/Chapter 82
CHAPTER 82
THE FRIENDSHIP THAT INJURETH
811. Behold the men who look as if they would eat thee up for very love, but who love thee not in their hearts: their friendship is sweeter in the waning than in the waxing.
812. Behold the unworthy wretches who would fawn on thee when it is to their profit and forsake thee when thou canst serve them no more : what mattereth it whether thou gain their friendship or lose it?
813. Behold the men that calculate how much they can gain by a friend: they are of the same class with harlots and thieves.
814. There are men who are like the unbroken horse which throweth down its rider on the battle-field and gallopeth away: it is far better to be lonely than to have such men for friends.
815. Behold the vile men that forsake a trusting friend at the time of his need : it is better not to possess their friendship than to possess it.
816. The enmity of the wise is ten million times better than the intimacy of fools.
817. The hate of enemies is a hundred million times more valuable than the friendship of boon companions and flatterers.
818. Behold the men that will place obstructions on thy path while thou art at thy work : tell them not a word, but drop their friendship little by little.
819. Behold the men whose acts belie their spoken words : it is bitter to recall their fellowship even in dreams.
820. Behold the men that speak sweet in the closet but disparage in the assembly : do not approach them in any degree.
