Thirukkural · பொருட்பால் · கூடா நட்பு

Thirukkural 829

Chapter 83: கூடா நட்பு (Unreal Friendship) · Wealth

Kural 829

மிகச்செய்து தம்மெள்ளு வாரை நகச்செய்து
நட்பினுள் சாப்புல்லற் பாற்று.

Mikachcheydhu Thammellu Vaarai Nakachcheydhu
Natpinul Saappullar Paatru

'Tis just, when men make much of you, and then despise, To make them smile, and slap in friendship's guise

Meaning

It is the duty of kings to affect great love but make it die (inwardly); as regard those foes who shew them great friendship but despise them (in their heart).

Plain English meaning from the 19th-century prose translation by W. H. Drew and John Lazarus. The verse above is G. U. Pope's translation (1886).

Other kurals in கூடா நட்பு

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