False Friendship
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mukatti ṉiṉiya nakāa vakattiṉṉā / vañcarai yañcap paṭum.
“'Tis fitting you should dread dissemblers' guile, / Whose hearts are bitter while their faces smile.”
“Fear thou the hypocritical ruffians that smile to the face but nurse their spite within their bosom.”
Be wary of deceivers who smile sweetly to one’s face while carrying harmful intent within.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
முகத்தின் இனிய நகாஅ அகத்து இன்னா வஞ்சரை= கண்டபொழுது முகத்தால் இனியவாகச் சிரித்து எப்பொழுதும் மனத்தால் இன்னாராய வஞ்சரை; அஞ்சப்படும்= அஞ்சல் வேண்டும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Be deeply vigilant and fearful of hypocrites who present sweet smiles on their faces while harboring poisonous malice within their hearts.