Page:The Kural or The Maxims Of Tiruvalluvar.pdf/242



881. Even groves and fountains give no joy if they breed disease : even so kinsmen too are an abomination when they seek one's ruin.

882. Fear not the foe that is like the naked sword: but beware of the enemy that cometh as a friend.

883. Guard thyself against the secret enemy: for in the moment of embarrassment he will cut thee clean like the potter's steel.

884. If thou have an enemy that masqueradeth about as thy friend, he will soon corrupt thy kindred and bring down a multitude of evils on thy head.

885. When a kinsman turneth traitor against thee, he will bring on thee a multitude of evils and jeopardise thy very life. Rh