PART II. WEALTH - The Essentials of a State

Chapter. 82. Evil Friendship

Kural - 811
Though evil men should all-absorbing friendship show,
Their love had better die away than grow.
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.

Kural - 812
What though you gain or lose friendship of men of alien heart,
Who when you thrive are friends, and when you fail depart?
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 ?

Kural - 813
These are alike: the friends who ponder friendship's gain
Those who accept whate'er you give, and all the plundering train.
Friendship who calculate the profits (of their friendship), prostitutes who are bent on obtaining their gains, and thieves are (all) of the same character.

Kural - 814
A steed untrained will leave you in the tug of war;
Than friends like that to dwell alone is better far.
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.

Kural - 815
'Tis better not to gain than gain the friendship profitless
Of men of little minds, who succour fails when dangers press.
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.

Kural - 816
Better ten million times incur the wise man's hate,
Than form with foolish men a friendship intimate.
The hatred of the wise is ten-million times more profitable than the excessive intimacy of the fool.

Kural - 817
From foes ten million fold a greater good you gain,
Than friendship yields that's formed with laughers vain.
What comes from enemies is a hundred million times more profitable than what comes from the friendship of those who cause only laughter.

Kural - 818
Those men who make a grievous toil of what they do
On your behalf, their friendship silently eschew.
Gradually abandon without revealing (beforehand) the friendship of those who pretend inability to carry out what they (really) could do.

Kural - 819
E'en in a dream the intercourse is bitterness
With men whose deeds are other than their words profess.
The friendship of those whose actions do not agree with their words will distress (one) even in (one's) dreams.

Kural - 820
In anywise maintain not intercourse with those,
Who in the house are friends, in hall are slandering foes.
Avoid even the least approach to a contraction of friendship with those who would love you in private but ridicule you in public.

Chapter. 83. Unreal Friendship

Kural - 822
Friendship of those who seem our kin, but are not really kind.
Will change from hour to hour like woman's mind.
The friendship of those who seem to be friends while they are not, will change like the love of women.

Kural - 823
To heartfelt goodness men ignoble hardly may attain,
Although abundant stores of goodly lore they gain.
Though (one's) enemies may have mastered many good books, it will be impossible for them to become truly loving at heart.

Kural - 824
'Tis fitting you should dread dissemblers' guile,
Whose hearts are bitter while their faces smile.
One should fear the deceitful who smile sweetly with their face but never love with their heart.

Kural - 825
When minds are not in unison, 'its never; just,
In any words men speak to put your trust.
In nothing whatever is it proper to rely on the words of those who do not love with their heart.

Kural - 826
Though many goodly words they speak in friendly tone,
The words of foes will speedily be known.
Though (one's) foes may utter good things as though they were friends, once will at once understand (their evil, import).

Kural - 827
To pliant speech from hostile lips give thou no ear;
'Tis pliant bow that show the deadly peril near!
Since the bending of the bow bespeaks evil, one should not accept (as good) the humiliating speeches of one's foes.

Kural - 828
In hands that worship weapon ten hidden lies;
Such are the tears that fall from foeman's eyes.
A weapon may be hid in the very hands with which (one's) foes adore (him) (and) the tears they shed are of the same nature.

Kural - 829
'Tis just, when men make much of you, and then despise,
To make them smile, and slap in friendship's guise.
It is the duty of kings to affect great love but make it die (inwardly); as regard those foes who shew them great friendship but despise them (in their heart).

Kural - 830
When time shall come that foes as friends appear,
Then thou, to hide a hostile heart, a smiling face may'st wear.
When one's foes begin to affect friendship, one should love them with one's looks, and, cherishing no love in the heart, give up (even the former).

Chapter. 84. Folly

Kural - 832
'Mid follies chiefest folly is to fix your love
On deeds which to your station unbefitting prove.
The greatest folly is that which leads one to take delight in doing what is forbidden.

Kural - 833
Ashamed of nothing, searching nothing out, of loveless heart,
Nought cherishing, 'tis thus the fool will play his part.
Shamelessness indifference (to what must be sought after), harshness, and aversion for everything (that ought to be desired) are the qualities of the fool.

Kural - 834
The sacred law he reads and learns, to other men expounds,-
Himself obeys not; where can greater fool be found?
There are no greater fools than he who, though he has read and understood (a great deal) and even taught it to others, does not walk according to his own teaching.

Kural - 835
The fool will merit hell in one brief life on earth,
In which he entering sinks through sevenfold round of birth.
A fool can procure in a single birth a hell into which he may enter and suffer through all the seven births.

Kural - 836
When fool some task attempts with uninstructed pains,
It fails; nor that alone, himself he binds with chains.
If the fool, who knows not how to act undertakes a work, he will (certainly) fail. (But) is it all ? He will even adorn himself with fetters.

Kural - 837
When fools are blessed with fortune's bounteous store,
Their foes feed full, their friends are prey to hunger sore.
If a fool happens to get an immense fortune, his neighbours will enjoy it while his relations starve.

Kural - 838
When folly's hand grasps wealth's increase, 'twill be
As when a mad man raves in drunken glee.
A fool happening to possess something is like the intoxication of one who is (already) giddy.

Kural - 839
Friendship of fools is very pleasant thing,
Parting with them will leave behind no sting.
The friendship between fools is exceedingly delightful (to each other): for at parting there will be nothing to cause them pain.

Kural - 840
Like him who seeks his couch with unwashed feet,
Is fool whose foot intrudes where wise men meet.
The appearance of a fool in an assembly of the learned is like placing (one's) unwashed feet on a bed.

Chapter. 85. Ignorance

Kural - 842
The gift of foolish man, with willing heart bestowed, is nought,
But blessing by receiver's penance bought.
(The cause of) a fool cheerfully giving (something) is nothing else but the receiver's merit (in a former birth).

Kural - 843
With keener anguish foolish men their own hearts wring,
Than aught that even malice of their foes can bring.
The suffering that fools inflict upon themselves is hardly possible even to foes.

Kural - 844
What is stupidity? The arrogance that cries,
'Behold, we claim the glory of the wise.'
What is called want of wisdom is the vanity which says, "We are wise".

Kural - 845
If men what they have never learned assume to know,
Upon their real learning's power a doubt 'twill throw.
Fools pretending to know what has not been read (by them) will rouse suspicion even as to what they have thoroughly mastered.

Kural - 846
Fools are they who their nakedness conceal,
And yet their faults unveiled reveal.
Even to cover one's nakedness would be folly, if (one's) faults were not covered (by forsaking them).

Kural - 847
From out his soul who lets the mystic teachings die,
Entails upon himself abiding misery.
The fool who neglects precious counsel does, of his own accord, a great injury to himself.

Kural - 848
Advised, he heeds not; of himself knows nothing wise;
This man's whole life is all one plague until he dies.
The fool will not perform (his duties) even when advised nor ascertain them himself; such a soul is a burden (to the earth) till it departs (from the body).

Kural - 849
That man is blind to eyes that will not see who knowledge shows;-
The blind man still in his blind fashion knows.
One who would teach a fool will (simply) betray his folly; and the fool would (still) think himself "wise in his own conceit".

Kural - 850
Who what the world affirms as false proclaim,
O'er all the earth receive a demon's name.
He who denies the existence of what the world believes in will be regarded as a demon on earth.

Chapter. 86. Hostility

Kural - 852
Though men disunion plan, and do thee much despite
'Tis best no enmity to plan, nor evil deeds requite.
Though disagreeable things may be done from (a feeling of) disunion, it is far better that nothing painful be done from (that of) hatred.

Kural - 853
If enmity, that grievous plague, you shun,
Endless undying praises shall be won.
To rid one-self of the distressing dtsease of hatred will bestow (on one) a never-decreasing imperishable fame.

Kural - 854
Joy of joys abundant grows,
When malice dies that woe of woes.
If hatred which is the greatest misery is destroyed, it will yield the greatest delight.

Kural - 855
If men from enmity can keep their spirits free,
Who over them shall gain the victory?
Who indeed would think of conquering those who naturally shrink back from hatred ?

Kural - 856
The life of those who cherished enmity hold dear,
To grievous fault and utter death is near.
Failure and ruin are not far from him who says it is sweet to excel in hatred.

Kural - 857
The very truth that greatness gives their eyes can never see,
Who only know to work men woe, fulfilled of enmity.
Those whose judgement brings misery through its connection with hatred cannot understand the triumphant nature of truth.

Kural - 858
'Tis gain to turn the soul from enmity;
Ruin reigns where this hath mastery.
Shrinking back from hatred will yield wealth; indulging in its increase will hasten ruin.

Kural - 859
Men think not hostile thought in fortune's favouring hour,
They cherish enmity when in misfortune's power.
At the approach of wealth one will not think of hatred (but) to secure one's ruin, one will look to its increase.

Kural - 860
From enmity do all afflictive evils flow;
But friendliness doth wealth of kindly good bestow.
All calamities are caused by hatred; but by the delight (of friendship) is caused the great wealth of good virtues.

Chapter. 87. The Might of Hatred

Kural - 862
No kinsman's love, no strength of friends has he;
How can he bear his foeman's enmity?
How can he who is unloving, destitute of powerful aids, and himself without strength overcome the might of his foe ?

Kural - 863
A craven thing! knows nought, accords with none, gives nought away;
To wrath of any foe he falls an easy prey.
In the estimation of foes miserably weak is he, who is timid, ignorant, unsociable and niggardly.

Kural - 864
His wrath still blazes, every secret told; each day
This man's in every place to every foe an easy prey.
He who neither refrains from anger nor keeps his secrets will at all times and in all places be easily conquered by all.

Kural - 865
No way of right he scans, no precepts bind, no crimes affright,
No grace of good he owns; such man's his foes' delight.
(A) pleasing (object) to his foes is he who reads not moral works, does nothing that is enjoined by them cares not for reproach and is not possessed of good qualities.

Kural - 866
Blind in his rage, his lustful passions rage and swell;
If such a man mislikes you, like it well.
Highly to be desired is the hatred of him whose anger is blind, and whose lust increases beyond measure.

Kural - 867
Unseemly are his deeds, yet proffering aid, the man draws nigh:
His hate- 'tis cheap at any price- be sure to buy!
It is indeed necessary to obtain even by purchase the hatred of him who having begun (a work) does what is not conductive (to its accomplishment).

Kural - 868
No gracious gifts he owns, faults many cloud his fame;
His foes rejoice, for none with kindred claim.
He will become friendless who is without (any good) qualities. and whose faults are many; (such a character) is a help to (his) foes.

Kural - 869
The joy of victory is never far removed from those
Who've luck to meet with ignorant and timid foes.
There will be no end of lofty delights to the victorious, if their foes are (both) ignorant and timid.

Kural - 870
The task of angry war with men unlearned in virtue's lore
Who will not meet, glory shall meet him never more.
The light (of fame) will never be gained by him who gains not the trifling reputation of having fought an unlearned (foe).

Chapter. 88. Knowing the Quality of Hate

Kural - 872
Although you hate incur of those whose ploughs are bows,
Make not the men whose ploughs are words your foes!
Though you may incur the hatred of warriors whose ploughs are bows, incur not that of ministers whose ploughs are words.

Kural - 873
Than men of mind diseased, a wretch more utterly forlorn,
Is he who stands alone, object of many foeman's scorn.
He who being alone, incurs the hatred of many is more infatuated than even mad men.

Kural - 874
The world secure on his dexterity depends,
Whose worthy rule can change his foes to friends.
The world abides in the greatness of that good-natured man who behaves so as to turn hatred into friendship.

Kural - 875
Without ally, who fights with twofold enemy o'ermatched,
Must render one of these a friend attached.
He who is alone and helpless while his foes are two should secure one of them as an agreeable help (to himself).

Kural - 876
Whether you trust or not, in time of sore distress,
Questions of diff'rence or agreement cease to press.
Though (one's foe is) aware or not of one's misfortune one should act so as neither to join nor separate (from him).

Kural - 877
To those who know them not, complain not of your woes;
Nor to your foeman's eyes infirmities disclose.
Relate not your suffering even to friends who are ignorant of it, nor refer to your weakness in the presence of your foes.

Kural - 878
Know thou the way, then do thy part, thyself defend;
Thus shall the pride of those that hate thee have an end.
The joy of one's foes will be destroyed if one guards oneself by knowing the way (of acting) and securing assistance.

Kural - 879
Destroy the thorn, while tender point can work thee no offence;
Matured by time, 'twill pierce the hand that plucks it thence.
A thorny tree should be felled while young, (for) when it is grown it will destroy the hand of the feller.

Kural - 880
But breathe upon them, and they surely die,
Who fail to tame the pride of angry enemy.
Those who do not destroy the pride of those who hate (them) will certainly not exist even to breathe.

Chapter. 89. Enmity within

Kural - 882
Dread not the foes that as drawn swords appear;
Friendship of foes, who seem like kinsmen, fear!
Fear not foes (who say they would cut) like a sword; (but) fear the friendship of foes (who seemingly act) like relations.

Kural - 883
Of hidden hate beware, and guard thy life;
In troublous time 'twill deeper wound than potter's knife.
Fear internal enmity and guard yourself; (if not) it will destroy (you) in an evil hour, as surely as the tool which cuts the potter's clay.

Kural - 884
If secret enmities arise that minds pervert,
Then even kin unkind will work thee grievous hurt.
The secret enmity of a person whose mind in unreformed will lead to many evils causing disaffection among (one's) relations.

Kural - 885
Amid one's relatives if hidden hath arise,
'Twill hurt inflict in deadly wise.
If there appears internal hatred in a (king's) family; it will lead to many a fatal crime.

Kural - 886
If discord finds a place midst those who dwelt at one before,
'Tis ever hard to keep destruction from the door.
If hatred arises among (one's) own people, it will be hardly possible (for one) to escape death.

Kural - 887
As casket with its cover, though in one they live alway,
No union to the house where hate concealed hath sway.
Never indeed will a family subject to internal hatred unite (really) though it may present an apparent union like that of a casket and its lid.

Kural - 888
As gold with which the file contends is worn away,
So strength of house declines where hate concealed hath sway.
A family subject to internal hatred will wear out and lose its strength like iron that has been filed away.

Kural - 889
Though slight as shred of 'seasame' seed it be,
Destruction lurks in hidden enmity.
Although internal hatred be as small as the fragment of the sesamum (seed), still does destruction dwell in it.

Kural - 890
Domestic life with those who don't agree,
Is dwelling in a shed with snake for company.
Living with those who do not agree (with one) is like dwelling with a cobra (in the same) hut.