Thirukkural 828 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தொழுதகை யுள்ளும் படையொடுங்கும் ஒன்னார்
அழுதகண் ணீரும் அனைத்து.
Transliteration
Thozhudhakai Yullum Pataiyotungum Onnaar
Azhudhakan Neerum Anaiththu
Modern English
“A hostile person may hide danger behind a respectful gesture, and even tears may be part of a plan.”
Modern Interpretation
A hostile person may hide danger behind a respectful gesture, and even tears may be part of a plan. If someone apologizes dramatically while preparing to retaliate, judge their actions and protect yourself.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
A hostile person may hide danger behind a respectful gesture, and even tears may be part of a plan.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Adoring hands of foes hide arms Their sobbing tears have lurking harms
G.U. Pope Translation
In hands that worship weapon ten hidden lies;Such are the tears that fall from foeman's eyes
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
A weapon may be hid in the very hands with which (one's) foes adore (him) (and) the tears they shed are of the same nature
Tamil commentary
பகைவர் தொழும் கைக்குள்ளும் ஆயுதம் மறைந்திருக்கும்; அவர் அழுது சிந்தும் கண்ணீரும் அப்படிப்பட்டதே.
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