Thirukkural Chapter 81 - Familiarity

Couplet 801 
Familiarity is friendship's silent pact,
That puts restraint on no familiar act
Explanation
Imtimate friendship is that which cannot in the least be injured by (things done through the) right (of longstanding intimacy)

Couplet 802 
Familiar freedom friendship's very frame supplies;
To be its savour sweet is duty of the wise
Explanation
The constituents of friendship are (things done through) the right of intimacy; to be pleased with such a right is the duty of the wise

Couplet 803 
When to familiar acts men kind response refuse,
What fruit from ancient friendship's use
Explanation
Of what avail is long-standing friendship, if friends do not admit as their own actions done through the right of intimacy ?

Couplet 804 
When friends unbidden do familiar acts with loving heart,
Friends take the kindly deed in friendly part
Explanation
If friends, through the right of friendship, do (anything) without being asked, the wise will be pleased with them on account of its desirability

Couplet 805 
Not folly merely, but familiar carelessness,
Esteem it, when your friends cause you distress
Explanation
If friends should perform what is painful, understand that it is owing not only to ignorance, but also to the strong claims of intimacy

Couplet 806 
Who stand within the bounds quit not, though loss impends,
Association with the old familiar friends
Explanation
Those who stand within the limits (of true friendship) will not even in adversity give up the intimacy of long-standing friends

Couplet 807 
True friends, well versed in loving ways,
Cease not to love, when friend their love betrays
Explanation
Those who have (long) stood in the path of affection will not give it up even if their friends cause (them) their ruin

Couplet 808 
In strength of friendship rare of friend's disgrace who will not hear,
The day his friend offends will day of grace to him appear
Explanation
To those who understand that by which they should not listen to (tales about) the faults of their friends, that is a (profitable) day on which the latter may commit a fault

Couplet 809 
Friendship of old and faithful friends,
Who ne'er forsake, the world commends
Explanation
They will be loved by the world, who have not forsaken the friendship of those with whom they have kept up an unbroken long-standing intimacy

Couplet 810 
Ill-wishers even wish them well, who guard
For ancient friends, their wonted kind regard
Explanation
Even enemies will love those who have never changed in their affection to their long-standingfriends