Examining Friendship
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ūtiya meṉpa toruvaṟkup pētaiyār / kēṇmai yorīi viṭal.
The gain said to belong to a person is this: leaving behind friendship with those who persist in foolish conduct.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“'Tis gain to any man, the sages say, / Friendship of fools to put away.”
“To discard the friendship of fools, that is veritable profit for a man.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஒருவற்கு ஊதியம் என்பது= ஒருவனுக்குப் பேறென்று சொல்லப்படுவது; பேதையார் கேண்மை ஒரீஇ விடல்= அறிவிலாரோடு நட்புக் கொண்டானாயின், அதனை ஒழிந்து அவரின் நீங்குதல்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that the benefit said to come to a person is leaving and separating from friendship with the unwise. A humane modern reading must not use “foolish” as a label for education, intelligence, disability, neurodivergence, language, poverty, or one mistake. The relevant evidence is persistent harmful conduct that refuses correction. Ending or limiting such closeness protects judgment and participation without denying anyone’s human worth.