Kural #829
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Tamil text
மிகச்செய்து தம்மெள்ளு வாரை
நகச்செய்து நட்பினுள் சாப்புல்லற் பாற்று
Mikacceytu tammeḷḷu vārai
Nakacceytu naṭpiṉuḷ cāppullaṟ pāṟṟu
English translation
Those who do much harm while despising you should be kept smilingly within the fold of friendship.
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Explanation
When enemies (தம்மெள்ளுவார்) cause harm (மிகச்செய்து), respond with smiles (நகச்செய்து) and apparent friendship. This strategic advice suggests outward friendliness while inwardly guarding against their malice. Keep enemies close but never trust them.
விளக்கம்
தம்மை இகழ்ந்து தீங்கு செய்பவரை சிரித்து நண்பராக்கு. கூடா நட்பு அதிகாரத்தில், பகைவரை வெல்லும் உபாயம் இது. வெளிப்படையாக நட்பு பாராட்டி, உள்ளுக்குள் எச்சரிக்கையாக இரு.
Word meanings
- மிகmikamuch/greatly
- செய்துceytudoing
- தம்tamself
- எள்ளுவார்eḷḷuvārthose who despise
- நகnakasmilingly
- நட்பினுள்naṭpiṉuḷwithin friendship
- சாப்புல்லல்cāppullalembracing superficially
- பாற்றுpāṟṟuis the way
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers: Arun and Bala. Arun, though outwardly friendly, secretly envied Bala’s fertile fields. He constantly sowed discord, whispering rumors to undermine Bala's reputation and sabotaging his irrigation channels. Bala, however, always met Arun with a warm smile and offered him assistance when needed. When Arun’s crops failed, Bala shared his harvest. When Arun's well dried up, Bala offered water. The villagers, witnessing Bala’s unwavering kindness towards his spiteful neighbor, were puzzled. “Why do you help him, Bala?” they asked. “He clearly wishes you ill.” Bala simply smiled and said, “The sun shines even on the coldest stone. Sometimes, the warmth melts the ice.” Arun, disarmed by Bala’s consistent generosity, eventually ceased his harmful actions. He never became a true friend, but his malice faded, replaced by a grudging respect. And Bala's fields continued to flourish.