Thirukkural-On Wise Friendship-Kural-450

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It is foolish surely to incur enmity of many foes,
But ten times worse to lose righteous friends.

Losing the friendship of the wise and virtuous men around him, would be ten times worse than incurring the enmity of a host of foes.

Learning and wisdom ultimately lead to goodness and hence the term 'nallaar' (the good) has been used, referring to the wise and learned.

Plato also characterized the final attainment of all that is wise and virtuous, as the 'form of good".

In this chapter, the poet has, in diverse ways, emphasised the importance of the king wisely identifying and getting together in a bond of friendship, learned and virtuous men to advise him, as a primary concern of the realm, even taking priority over the army and fortresses.