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
Modern English
“An enemy may speak kindly like a friend, but hidden hostility usually shows itself soon.”
Modern Interpretation
An enemy may speak kindly like a friend, but hidden hostility usually shows itself soon. If a rival offers advice that conveniently harms your work, check the facts and the motive before accepting it.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
An enemy may speak kindly like a friend, but hidden hostility usually shows itself soon.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Though (one's) foes may utter good things as though they were friends, once will at once understand (their evil, import)
Tamil commentary
நண்பர்களைப் போல், நன்மை தருவனவற்றைச் சொன்னாலும், நம்மோடு மனத்தால் கூடாதவர்களின் சொற்கள் நன்மை தராதனவே என்று விரைவில் அறிந்து கொள்ளலாம்.
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