Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Friendship (நட்பியல்) — Investigation in forming Friendships (நட்பாராய்தல்)

Kural 791:
நாடாது நட்டலிற் கேடில்லை நட்டபின்
வீடில்லை நட்பாள் பவர்க்கு.
naataadhu nattaliR kaetillai nattapin
veetillai natpaaL pavarkku
English couplet:
To make an untried man your friend is ruin sure;
For friendship formed unbroken must endure.
Explanation: As those who are of a friendly nature will not forsake (a friend) after once loving (him), there is no evil so great as contracting a friendship without due inquiry.

Kural 792:
ஆய்ந்தாய்ந்து கொள்ளாதான் கேண்மை கடைமுறை
தான்சாம் துயரம் தரும்.
aaindhaaindhu koLLaadhaan kaeNmai kadaimuRai
thaansaam thuyaram tharum
English couplet:
Alliance with the man you have not proved and proved again,
In length of days will give you mortal pain.
Explanation: The friendship contracted by him who has not made repeated inquiry will in the end grieve (him) to death.

Kural 793:
குணமும் குடிமையும் குற்றமும் குன்றா
இனனும் அறிந்தியாக்க நட்பு.
kuNamum kutimaiyum kutramum kundraa
inanum aRindhiyaakka natpu
English couplet:
Temper, descent, defects, associations free
From blame: know these, then let the man be friend to thee.
Explanation: Make friendship (with one) after ascertaining (his) character, birth, defects and the whole of one's relations.

Kural 794:
குடிப்பிறந்து தன்கண் பழிநாணு வானைக்
கொடுத்தும் கொளல்வேண்டும் நட்பு.
kutippiRandhu than-kaN pazhinhaaNu vaanaik
kotuththum koLalvaeNdum natpu
English couplet:
Who, born of noble race, from guilt would shrink with shame,
Pay any price so you as friend that man may claim.
Explanation: The friendship of one who belongs to a (good) family and is afraid of (being charged with) guilt, is worth even purchasing.

Kural 795:
அழச்சொல்லி அல்லது இடித்து வழக்கறிய
வல்லார்நடபு ஆய்ந்து கொளல்.
azhachcholli alladhu idiththu vazhakkaRiya
vallaarnhatapu aaindhu koLal
English couplet:
Make them your chosen friend whose words repentance move,
With power prescription's path to show, while evil they reprove.
Explanation: You should examine and secure the friendship of those who can speak so as to make you weep over a crime (before its commission) or rebuke you severely (after you have done it) and are able to teach you (the ways of) the world.

Kural 796:
கேட்டினும் உண்டோர் உறுதி கிளைஞரை
நீட்டி அளப்பதோர் கோல்.
kaettinum undoar uRudhi kiLaiGnarai
neetti aLappadhoar koal
English couplet:
Ruin itself one blessing lends:
'Tis staff that measures out one's friends.
Explanation: Even in ruin there is some good; (for) it is a rod by which one may measure fully (the affection of one's) relations.

Kural 797:
ஊதியம் என்பது ஒருவற்குப் பேதையார்
கேண்மை ஒரீஇ விடல்.
oodhiyam enpadhu oruvaRkup paedhaiyaar
kaeNmai oreei vidal
English couplet:
'Tis gain to any man, the sages say,
Friendship of fools to put away.
Explanation: It is indead a gain for one to renounce the friendship of fools.

Kural 798:
உள்ளற்க உள்ளம் சிறுகுவ கொள்ளற்க
அல்லற்கண் ஆற்றறுப்பார் நட்பு.
uLLaRka uLLam siRukuva koLLaRka
allarkaN aatraruppaar natpu
English couplet:
Think not the thoughts that dwarf the soul; nor take
For friends the men who friends in time of grief forsake.
Explanation: Do not think of things that discourage your mind, nor contract friendship with those who would forsake you in adversity.

Kural 799:
கெடுங்காலைக் கைவிடுவார் கேண்மை அடுங்காலை
உள்ளினும் உள்ளஞ் சுடும்.
kedungaalaik kaivituvaar kaeNmai atungaalai
uLLinum uLLanhj chudum
English couplet:
Of friends deserting us on ruin's brink,
'Tis torture e'en in life's last hour to think.
Explanation: The very thought of the friendship of those who have deserted one at the approach of adversity will burn one's mind at the time of death.

Kural 800:
மருவுக மாசற்றார் கேண்மைஒன் றீத்தும்
ஒருவுக ஒப்பிலார் நட்பு.
maruvuka maasatraar kaeNmaion Reeththum
oruvuka oppilaar natpu
English couplet:
Cling to the friendship of the spotless one's; whate'er you pay.
Renounce alliance with the men of evil way.
Explanation: Continue to enjoy the friendship of the pure; (but) renounce even with a gift, the friendship of those who do not agree (with the world).