Betrayal Of Trust [from 'proverbs 400' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

345. One who gives two measures of paddy to a kin
may be angry but doesn't insult with mean words.
Without singing sacred hymns, no one tastes
cow's ghee poured into the sacrificial fire.

346. O, chief of the hills with long rocks inset
with bells! You took them as kin and helped. If they
join your foes, it likens one climbed to the branch
of a tree, cut it oneself and fell down dead.

347. You look nice at someone for the respect
he had on you and your kin. If he joins
your foes and backbites on you, it likens
setting fire to the house in which you took food.