False Friendship
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naṭṭārpō ṉallavai colliṉu moṭṭārco / lollai yuṇarap paṭum.
Even when an opponent speaks helpful words like a friend, what those words truly serve soon becomes clear.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“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.”
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
Parimelazhagar explains that even when enemies speak as friends and use words promising benefit, those words are recognized as hostile because they do not yield the good they claim—an inconsistency discernible from the offer itself.