Kural #827
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Tamil text
சொல்வணக்கம் ஒன்னார்கண் கொள்ளற்க
வில்வணக்கம் தீங்கு குறித்தமை யான்
Colvaṇakkam oṉṉārkaṇ koḷḷaṟka
Vilvaṇakkam tīṅku kuṟittamai yāṉ
English translation
Do not accept humble words from enemies, for a bow bends only to shoot harm.
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Explanation
A brilliant metaphor: just as a bow (வில்) bends (வணக்கம்) only to release an arrow that harms, an enemy's humble words (சொல்வணக்கம்) precede attack. The bending bow appears submissive but signals imminent danger. Never trust an enemy's apparent humility.
விளக்கம்
பகைவர் பணிவாகப் பேசினால் நம்பாதே. வில் வளைவது அம்பு எய்யவே, அதுபோல அவர்களின் சொல் தீங்கு செய்யவே வரும். 'கூடா நட்பு' அதிகாரத்தில், இது போலியான நட்பை உணர்த்துகிறது. ஜாக்கிரதையாக இரு!
Word meanings
- சொல்colword
- வணக்கம்vaṇakkamhumility/bending
- ஒன்னார்oṉṉārenemies
- கண்kaṇfrom
- கொள்ளற்கkoḷḷaṟkado not accept
- வில்vilbow
- தீங்குtīṅkuharm
- குறித்தமையான்kuṟittamaiyāṉbecause it aims at
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two farmers, Arun and Varun. Arun's fields flourished, his harvest bountiful. Varun, envious, watched his own crops wither. One day, Varun approached Arun, a sheepish smile upon his face. "My friend," he began, his voice soft, "I see your success, and I am humbled. Let me help you with your harvest. We will share the bounty." Arun, remembering their past disagreements, felt a flicker of unease, but Varun’s words were so gentle. He agreed. For days, Varun worked diligently, appearing helpful. But as Arun slept soundly, Varun crept into the fields, secretly diverting the irrigation, poisoning the soil. Soon, Arun’s crops began to fail. He confronted Varun, who feigned surprise and innocence. Arun, seeing the damage, understood the truth hidden behind the false smile. He learned that sweet words can hide a bitter heart.