Tolerance Of Faults In Friendship [from 'naaladiyaar' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

221. When we have accepted them as good friends
if faults found, hide them in mind.
For the rice has chaff, water foam, and flowers
the petals, yet the useless things aren't left out.


222. When water breaches the bank of a tank,
The farmers don't hate it. They rebuild the bank
and make use of water. When we find features
unbecoming in good friends bear with them.

223. O, Lord of the hilly terrains, where the bees
swarm in golden Konga flowers! When close friends
do, too much harm, you had better endure them.
One's patience sustains the friendship between both.

224. O, Chief of the sea-girt land where the waves curled
wash ashore the white pearls and the ships anchored.
If the close friends lack good conduct, they're the fire
set on by ourselves to burn our heart.

225. We don't hate the fire that destroyed our gold
and the good house. We make it daily to cook.
Cherish like gold the friends, we can't rid of
Whatever evil they do to us.

226. O Chief of the highest honour and high hills
with tall bamboos! Will men chop their own hands
for striking their eyes? Is it right to keep off
the thick friends for some mistakes made?

227. O, Lord of the clear waters of the cool coast!
The great men ignore the faults made by friends.
The fools who blame the friends after friendship made
are worse than evil doing friends.

228. O, Lord of the roaring streams! What is there
to grieve for the evil done by the strangers,
on thinking deep? Things harmful done by
loving people will be marked good in mind.

229. If the friends approved feel that they aren't fit
for the friendship, good people treat them yet
with honour, to make them not to show it out
but hide that thought in mind.

230. If I search for the faults and merits of the friend
after making friendship, the hell to go I
for the crime of letting the secrets out
of a friend. The whole world will scoff at me.