Thirukkural 830 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பகைநட்பாம் காலம் வருங்கால் முகநட்டு
அகநட்பு ஒரீஇ விடல்.
Transliteration
Pakainatpaam Kaalam Varungaal Mukanattu
Akanatpu Oreei Vital
Modern English
“When an enemy begins acting like a friend, be courteous in public without giving your inner trust until their change is proven.”
Modern Interpretation
When an enemy begins acting like a friend, be courteous in public without giving your inner trust until their change is proven. If a former rival joins your project, cooperate professionally but do not share sensitive information too soon.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
When an enemy begins acting like a friend, be courteous in public without giving your inner trust until their change is proven.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
When foes, in time, play friendship's part Feign love on face but not in heart
G.U. Pope Translation
When time shall come that foes as friends appear,Then thou, to hide a hostile heart, a smiling face may'st wear
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
When one's foes begin to affect friendship, one should love them with one's looks, and, cherishing no love in the heart, give up (even the former)
Tamil commentary
நம் பகைவர் நம்முடன் நண்பராக வாழும் காலம் வந்தால் நாமும் அவருடன் முகத்தால் நட்புக் கொண்டு மனத்தால் அந்நட்பை விட்டுவிட வேண்டும்.
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