Kural #830
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Tamil text
பகைநட்பாம் காலம் வருங்கால்
முகநட்டு அகநட்பு ஒரீஇ விடல்
Pakainaṭpām kālam varuṅkāl
Mukanaṭṭu akanaṭpu orīi viṭal
English translation
When the time comes for enmity to turn to friendship, show outward friendliness but abandon inner attachment.
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Explanation
Even when circumstances change enemies into apparent friends (பகை நட்பாம்), maintain only facial friendliness (முகநட்டு) while abandoning heart-level friendship (அகநட்பு ஒரீஇ). Past enmity cannot be erased; prudence requires keeping emotional distance.
விளக்கம்
பகைமை நட்பு ஆகும் நேரம் வந்தால், முகத்தால் மட்டும் நட்பு காட்டு. மனதால் நெருக்கம் வேண்டாம். கூடா நட்பு அதிகாரத்தில், பழைய பகை மறக்காமல் எச்சரிக்கையாக இருக்கணும் என்பதே நீதி.
Word meanings
- பகைpakaienmity
- நட்புnaṭpufriendship
- ஆம்āmbecomes
- காலம்kālamtime
- வருங்கால்varuṅkālwhen comes
- முகம்mukamface
- நட்டுnaṭṭuhaving friendship
- அகம்akamheart
- ஒரீஇorīiabandoning
- விடல்viṭalleave
Story behind this kural
In the village of Eldoria, lived two merchants, Silas and Thomas. Silas, once Thomas's fiercest rival, had caused him great loss. Years passed, and the market shifted. Silas, facing ruin, approached Thomas, now prosperous, with a smile. "Let us put the past behind us," Silas declared, offering a partnership. Thomas, remembering the sting of betrayal, agreed outwardly. He offered Silas a small stall, but never shared his secrets or entrusted him with important deals. He was polite, even jovial in public, but kept his counsel. Silas, sensing the distance, tried to gain Thomas's trust. Yet, Thomas remained guarded, observing Silas's every move. Silas, unable to exploit Thomas's resources, eventually moved on. Thomas, meanwhile, continued to thrive. He had weathered the storm, preserving his wealth and his peace.