Thirukkural Chapter 79 - Friendship

Couplet 781 
What so hard for men to gain as friendship true
What so sure defence 'gainst all that foe can do
Explanation
What so sure defence 'gainst all that foe can do?

Couplet 782 
Friendship with men fulfilled of good Waxes like the crescent moon;
Friendship with men of foolish mood, Like the full orb, waneth soon
Explanation
The friendship of the wise waxes like the new moon; (but) that of fools wanes like the full moon

Couplet 783 
Learned scroll the more you ponder, Sweeter grows the mental food;
So the heart by use grows fonder, Bound in friendship with the good
Explanation
Like learning, the friendship of the noble, the more it is cultivated, the more delightful does it become

Couplet 784 
Nor for laughter only friendship all the pleasant day,
But for strokes of sharp reproving, when from right you stray
Explanation
Friendship is to be practised not for the purpose of laughing but for that of being beforehand in giving one another sharp rebukes in case of transgression

Couplet 785 
Not association constant, not affection's token bind;
'Tis the unison of feeling friends unites of kindred mind
Explanation
Living together and holding frequent intercourse are not necessary (for friendship); (mutual) understanding can alone create a claim for it

Couplet 786 
Not the face's smile of welcome shows the friend sincere,
But the heart's rejoicing gladness when the friend is near
Explanation
The love that dwells (merely in the smiles of the face is not friendship; (but) that which dwells deep in the smiles of the heart is true friendship

Couplet 787 
Friendship from ruin saves, in way of virtue keeps;
In troublous time, it weeps with him who weeps
Explanation
(True) friendship turns aside from evil (ways) makes (him) walk in the (good) way, and, in case of loss if shares his sorrow (with him)

Couplet 788 
As hand of him whose vesture slips away,
Friendship at once the coming grief will stay
Explanation
(True) friendship hastens to the rescue of the afflicted (as readily) as the hand of one whose garment is loosened (before an assembly)

Couplet 789 
And where is friendship's royal seat? In stable mind,
Where friend in every time of need support may find
Explanation
Friendship may be said to be on its throne when it possesses the power of supporting one at all times and under all circumstances, (in the practice or virtue and wealth)

Couplet 790 
Mean is the friendship that men blazon forth,
'He's thus to me' and 'such to him my worth'
Explanation
Though friends may praise one another saying, "He is so intimate with us, and we so much (with him)"; (still) such friendship will appear mean