Kagga 177

D. V. Gundappa · 1887–1975 · from the Kannada original

Kagga 177 in the original Kannada script

Transliteration

bandhuvum mitranum bhRutyanum shatruvoledanDadharanolagake ninnaneLevavarOandadoDaveya monegaLindedeyanottuvAmandahasitada koleyo – MANKUTIMMA

Interpretation

The Creator has not imparted in man the trait of behaving selflessly…in most cases, all actions of man are driven by self-interest

It does not matter whether they are our close friends/relatives or our servants, in most cases, all their interactions are driven by their relentless pursuit of self-benefit

Mankutimma, beware particularly of people who always sugar-coat when interacting with you and do not tell you the reality. Such people are like soldiers who are leading you to the gallows. Such people who are always smiling will not hesitate a bit to dump you when faced with a difficult situation. Be very careful in interacting with people & identify who are double-faced; else you will end up in extreme situations & not even be aware of it until it is too late

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