Kural #824
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Tamil text
முகத்தின் இனிய நகாஅ
அகத்தின்னா வஞ்சரை அஞ்சப் படும்
Mukattiṉ iṉiya nakāa
Akattiṉṉā vañcarai añcap paṭum
English translation
One should fear the deceitful who smile sweetly with their face but harbor bitterness within.
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Explanation
Beware those whose face (முகம்) shows sweet smiles (இனிய நகை) while their heart (அகம்) is bitter (இன்னா). Such வஞ்சர் (deceivers) are truly dangerous and must be feared (அஞ்சப்படும்). The contrast between external sweetness and internal malice is the mark of a false friend.
விளக்கம்
முகத்தில் இனிமையாகப் பேசி, மனதில் கசப்பு வைக்கும் வஞ்சகரை அஞ்ச வேண்டும். கூடா நட்பு அதிகாரத்தில், இத்தகையோர் ஆபத்தானவர்கள் என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார். வெளித்தோற்றம் கண்டு ஏமாறாமல், உள்ளத்தை உணர வேண்டும்.
Word meanings
- முகத்தின்mukattiṉwith face
- இனியiṉiyasweet
- நகாnakāsmiling
- அகத்துakattuin heart
- இன்னாiṉṉābitterness/evil
- வஞ்சர்vañcardeceivers
- அஞ்சañcato fear
- படும்paṭummust be
Story behind this kural
The village of Eldoria was known for its bountiful harvests. Farmer Giles, a kind man, often shared his surplus with his neighbor, Silas. Silas, with a smile as bright as the morning sun, would gratefully accept the gifts, praising Giles' generosity. One harsh winter, Giles’ crops failed. He went to Silas, his voice trembling, asking for a small loan of grain. Silas’ smile vanished. "My stores are empty," he declared, his voice cold. Giles, bewildered, saw Silas’ barn overflowing with grain. Later, Giles overheard Silas boasting to other villagers, "That fool Giles! Always expecting handouts. Let him learn to fend for himself!" Giles, heartbroken, understood. Silas' sweet words had masked a heart of stone. Giles learned to trust actions, not just smiles, and found true friendship with others.