Thirukkural Chapter 83 - Unreal Friendship

Couplet 821 
Anvil where thou shalt smitten be, when men occasion find,
Is friendship's form without consenting mind
Explanation
The friendship of those who behave like friends without inward affection is a weapon that may be thrown when a favourable opportunity presents itself

Couplet 822 
Friendship of those who seem our kin, but are not really kind
Will change from hour to hour like woman's mind
Explanation
The friendship of those who seem to be friends while they are not, will change like the love of women

Couplet 823 
To heartfelt goodness men ignoble hardly may attain,
Although abundant stores of goodly lore they gain
Explanation
Though (one's) enemies may have mastered many good books, it will be impossible for them to become truly loving at heart

Couplet 824 
'Tis fitting you should dread dissemblers' guile,
Whose hearts are bitter while their faces smile
Explanation
One should fear the deceitful who smile sweetly with their face but never love with their heart

Couplet 825 
When minds are not in unison, 'its never; just,
In any words men speak to put your trust
Explanation
In nothing whatever is it proper to rely on the words of those who do not love with their heart

Couplet 826 
Though many goodly words they speak in friendly tone,
The words of foes will speedily be known
Explanation
Though (one's) foes may utter good things as though they were friends, once will at once understand (their evil, import)

Couplet 827 
To pliant speech from hostile lips give thou no ear;
'Tis pliant bow that show the deadly peril near
Explanation
Since the bending of the bow bespeaks evil, one should not accept (as good) the humiliating speeches of one's foes

Couplet 828 
In hands that worship weapon ten hidden lies;
Such are the tears that fall from foeman's eyes
Explanation
A weapon may be hid in the very hands with which (one's) foes adore (him) (and) the tears they shed are of the same nature

Couplet 829 
'Tis just, when men make much of you, and then despise,
To make them smile, and slap in friendship's guise
Explanation
It is the duty of kings to affect great love but make it die (inwardly); as regard those foes who shew them great friendship but despise them (in their heart)

Couplet 830 
When time shall come that foes as friends appear,
Then thou, to hide a hostile heart, a smiling face may'st wear
Explanation
When one's foes begin to affect friendship, one should love them with one's looks, and, cherishing no love in the heart, give up (even the former)