Internal Enmity
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vāḷpōl pakaivarai yañcaṟka vañcuka / kēḷpōl pakaivar toṭarpu.
“Dread not the foes that as drawn swords appear; / Friendship of foes, who seem like kinsmen, fear!”
“Fear not the foe that is like the naked sword: but beware of the enemy that cometh as a friend.”
Do not fear the enemy who stands openly like a sword; beware the association of an enemy who appears like kin.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
வாள்போல் பகைவரை அஞ்சற்க= வாள் போல எறிதும் என்று வெளிப்பட்டு நிற்கும் பகைவர் பகையினை அஞ்சாது ஒழிக; கேள்போல் பகைவர் தொடர்பு அஞ்சுக= அங்ஙனம் நில்லாது கேள்போல மறைந்து நிற்கும் பகைவர் நட்பினை அஞ்சுக.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Fear not the adversary who confronts you openly like an unsheathed sword; but beware the treacherous friendship of an enemy who wears the smiling mask of kin.