Thirukkural Chapter 89 - Enmity within

Couplet 881 
Water and shade, if they unwholesome prove, will bring you pain
And qualities of friends who treacherous act, will be your bane
Explanation
Shade and water are not pleasant, (if) they cause disease; so are the qualities of (one's) relations not agreeable, (if) they cause pain

Couplet 882 
Dread not the foes that as drawn swords appear;
Friendship of foes, who seem like kinsmen, fear
Explanation
Fear not foes (who say they would cut) like a sword; (but) fear the friendship of foes (who seemingly act) like relations.

Couplet 883 
Of hidden hate beware, and guard thy life;
In troublous time 'twill deeper wound than potter's knife
Explanation
Fear internal enmity and guard yourself; (if not) it will destroy (you) in an evil hour, as surely as the tool which cuts the potter's clay

Couplet 884 
If secret enmities arise that minds pervert,
Then even kin unkind will work thee grievous hurt
Explanation
The secret enmity of a person whose mind in unreformed will lead to many evils causing disaffection among (one's) relations

Couplet 885 
Amid one's relatives if hidden hath arise,
'Twill hurt inflict in deadly wise
Explanation
If there appears internal hatred in a (king's) family; it will lead to many a fatal crime

Couplet 886 
If discord finds a place midst those who dwelt at one before,
'Tis ever hard to keep destruction from the door
Explanation
If hatred arises among (one's) own people, it will be hardly possible (for one) to escape death

Couplet 887 
As casket with its cover, though in one they live alway,
No union to the house where hate concealed hath sway
Explanation
Never indeed will a family subject to internal hatred unite (really) though it may present an apparent union like that of a casket and its lid

Couplet 888 
As gold with which the file contends is worn away,
So strength of house declines where hate concealed hath sway
Explanation
A family subject to internal hatred will wear out and lose its strength like iron that has been filed away

Couplet 889 
Though slight as shred of 'seasame' seed it be,
Destruction lurks in hidden enmity
Explanation
Although internal hatred be as small as the fragment of the sesamum (seed), still does destruction dwell in it

Couplet 890 
Domestic life with those who don't agree,
Is dwelling in a shed with snake for company
Explanation
Living with those who do not agree (with one) is like dwelling with a cobra (in the same) hut