Internal Enmity
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vāḷpōl pakaivarai yañcaṟka vañcuka / kēḷpōl pakaivar toṭarpu.
Do not fear the enemy who stands openly like a sword; beware the association of an enemy who appears like kin.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“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.”
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
Parimelazhagar explains that one need not fear the enemy whose hostility stands exposed, ready to strike like a sword. What calls for fear is the friendship of an enemy who does not stand openly but remains concealed while appearing like kin. This does not make relatives or dissenters suspect. It compares declared opposition with hostility that hides its purpose and uses the access of apparent closeness.