Thirukkural 826 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

நட்டார்போல் நல்லவை சொல்லினும் ஒட்டார்சொல்
ஒல்லை உணரப் படும்.

Transliteration

Nattaarpol Nallavai Sollinum Ottaarsol
Ollai Unarap Patum

English Translation

“The words of foes is quickly seen Though they speak like friends in fine”

Plain-English meaning

Though (one's) foes may utter good things as though they were friends, once will at once understand (their evil, import)

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Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

The words of foes is quickly seen Though they speak like friends in fine

G.U. Pope Translation

Though many goodly words they speak in friendly tone,The words of foes will speedily be known

Plain-English Meaning

Though (one's) foes may utter good things as though they were friends, once will at once understand (their evil, import)

நண்பர்களைப் போல், நன்மை தருவனவற்றைச் சொன்னாலும், நம்மோடு மனத்தால் கூடாதவர்களின் சொற்கள் நன்மை தராதனவே என்று விரைவில் அறிந்து கொள்ளலாம்.

Chapter 83

கூடா நட்பு

The friendship by an enemy shown Is anvil in time, to strike you down

Who pretend kinship but are not Their friendship's fickle like woman's heart

They may be vast in good studies But heartfelt-love is hard for foes

Fear foes whose face has winning smiles Whose heart is full of cunning guiles

Do not trust in what they tell Whose mind with your mind goes ill

The words of foes is quickly seen Though they speak like friends in fine

Trust not the humble words of foes Danger darts from bending bows

Adoring hands of foes hide arms Their sobbing tears have lurking harms

In open who praise, at heart despise Cajole and crush them in friendly guise

When foes, in time, play friendship's part Feign love on face but not in heart