Thirukkural 827 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சொல்வணக்கம் ஒன்னார்கண் கொள்ளற்க வில்வணக்கம்
தீங்கு குறித்தமை யான்.
Transliteration
Solvanakkam Onnaarkan Kollarka Vilvanakkam
Theengu Kuriththamai Yaan
Modern English
“Do not mistake an enemy's polite words for goodwill; a bow bends because it is ready to send an arrow.”
Modern Interpretation
Do not mistake an enemy's polite words for goodwill; a bow bends because it is ready to send an arrow. When a competitor suddenly praises your proposal while looking for weaknesses, stay courteous but cautious.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Do not mistake an enemy's polite words for goodwill; a bow bends because it is ready to send an arrow.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Trust not the humble words of foes Danger darts from bending bows
G.U. Pope Translation
To pliant speech from hostile lips give thou no ear;'Tis pliant bow that show the deadly peril near
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Since the bending of the bow bespeaks evil, one should not accept (as good) the humiliating speeches of one's foes
Tamil commentary
வில் வளைவது தீமை செய்யவே, பகைவர் வணங்கிப் பேசும் சொற்களும் அத்தன்மையவே; அதனால் அவர்தம் சொற்களை ஏற்றுக் கொள்ள வேண்டா.
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