Thirukkural 821 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சீரிடம் காணின் எறிதற்குப் பட்டடை
நேரா நிரந்தவர் நட்பு.
Transliteration
Seeritam Kaanin Eridharkup Pattatai
Neraa Nirandhavar Natpu
Modern English
“A person who pretends to be your friend without caring about you may turn that closeness into a weapon when an opportunity appears.”
Modern Interpretation
A person who pretends to be your friend without caring about you may turn that closeness into a weapon when an opportunity appears. If a coworker collects personal information while acting close, be careful about what you share.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A person who pretends to be your friend without caring about you may turn that closeness into a weapon when an opportunity appears.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The friendship by an enemy shown Is anvil in time, to strike you down
G.U. Pope Translation
Anvil where thou shalt smitten be, when men occasion find,Is friendship's form without consenting mind
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The friendship of those who behave like friends without inward affection is a weapon that may be thrown when a favourable opportunity presents itself
Tamil commentary
மனத்தால் நம்மை விரும்பாமல், தமக்கான வாய்ப்பை எதிர்நோக்கி நம்முடன் பழகுபவரின் நட்பானது, பொருளைத் தாங்குவதுபோல் தோன்றினாலும் பொருளை வெட்டி எறிவதற்குத் துணை செய்யும் பட்டடை போன்றது.
Chapter 83
More from Unreal Friendship
கூடா நட்பு
The friendship by an enemy shown Is anvil in time, to strike you down
Kural 822Who pretend kinship but are not Their friendship's fickle like woman's heart
Kural 823They may be vast in good studies But heartfelt-love is hard for foes
Kural 824Fear foes whose face has winning smiles Whose heart is full of cunning guiles
Kural 825Do not trust in what they tell Whose mind with your mind goes ill
Kural 826The words of foes is quickly seen Though they speak like friends in fine
Kural 827Trust not the humble words of foes Danger darts from bending bows
Kural 828Adoring hands of foes hide arms Their sobbing tears have lurking harms
Kural 829In open who praise, at heart despise Cajole and crush them in friendly guise
Kural 830When foes, in time, play friendship's part Feign love on face but not in heart