False Friendship
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naṭṭārpō ṉallavai colliṉu moṭṭārco / lollai yuṇarap paṭum.
“Though many goodly words they speak in friendly tone, / The words of foes will speedily be known.”
“An enemy will be revealed in a moment though he speak the tender language of friendship.”
Even when an opponent speaks helpful words like a friend, what those words truly serve soon becomes clear.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
நட்டார்போல் நல்லவை சொல்லினும்= நட்டார்போன்று நன்மை பயக்கும் சொற்களைச் சொன்னாராயினும்; ஒட்டார் சொல் ஒல்லை உணரப்படும்= பகைவர் சொற்கள் அது பயவாமை அச்சொல்லிய பொழுதே அறியப்படும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Even when an adversary uses persuasive words promising mutual benefit, the underlying hostility in their speech is swiftly perceived by discerning minds.