False Friendship
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Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
mukatti ṉiṉiya nakāa vakattiṉṉā / vañcarai yañcap paṭum.
Be wary of deceivers who smile sweetly to one’s face while carrying harmful intent within.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“'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.”
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
Parimelazhagar describes a deceiver who smiles pleasantly when seen while carrying inward harm, and counsels caution. In modern use, smiling, not smiling, eye contact, tone, culture, social anxiety, or disability never proves intent. The warning applies only when pleasant outward treatment and concealed harmful conduct are corroborated together. Caution means checking the contradiction between presentation, action, and records—not reading guilt from a face.