1202. Giving before asking

கேளா தளிப்பவர் கேண்மையே கேட்டபின்கேளா தளிப்பார் இலர்

kelaa thalippavar kenmaiye kettapinkelaa thalippaar ilar

Friendship is giving unasked; after the asking, no one gives unasked.

Once a friend has had to ask, the chance to give before the need was spoken has passed for good.

1203. Beyond wanting friendship

விழைவால் விளைந்ததன்று வீறுநட்பு மண்ணின்அழைப்பின்றி வந்த மழை

vizhaivaal vilaindadhandru veerunadpu manninazhaippindri vanda mazhai

A noble friendship is not grown by wanting; it is rain that came to the earth without the earth calling for it.

1204. Asking without shame

நட்பின் பெருமை துணைகேட்டல் நாணன்றுகேளாமை நாணுடையார் நாண்

nadpin perumai thunaikettal naanandrukelaamai naanudaiyaar naan

In the greatness of friendship there is no shame in asking for support; for anyone with a sense of shame, the shame lies in not asking.

The Tamil word for shame, naan, also means modesty or bashfulness.