83.2 False Friendship

 83.2 False Friendship

Question:

            How to handle false friendships?

                       

Answer:

When an enemy wants to be your friend, show external

signs of friendship and avoid real friendship.            (Couplet - 830)

பகைநட்பாம் காலம் வருங்கால் முகநட்டு

அகநட்பு ஒரீஇ விடல்.                                 (குறள் – 830)

                                               

Explanation:

In addition to the warnings about the enemy’s kind words and tears of sympathy, Valluvar also prescribes additional practical solutions to handle the enemies who pretend to be friends. He says that when the enemy pretends to be your friend, go along with him, pretending to maintain external friendly relations with him. Without taking him seriously, terminate his friendship tactfully.