January 3rd

Sanskrit Pearl of the day: 
दुर्जनः प्रियवादीति नैतद्विश्वासकारणम् ।
मधु तिष्ठति जिह्वाग्रे हृदये तु हलाहलम् ॥ 
- हितोपदेश

Transliteration:
durjanaḥ priyavādīti naitadviśvāsakāraṇam ।
madhu tiṣṭhati jihvāgre hṛdaye tu halāhalam ॥
- hitopadeśa

Meaning of the subhAShita: 

Because an evil-doer speaks nicely, it shouldn't be the reason for trust. There is honey at the tip of the tongue, but poison at heart.

Commentary: 

Know thy friends and foes!

Just because a person speaks sweetly doesn't mean he has your best interest at heart. Those who are wicked and evil at heart might speak like sweet honey, yet they will stab you in the back.

At the same time, it doesn't mean that every person speaking sweetly has an agenda. There is no dearth of nice people in this world who genuinely speak from their hearts.

Knowing people well before letting them influence us is a beneficial way to interact.  Don't believe a sweet talker.  Believe someone whose actions and words align with each other.  

pada vigrahaH: 

दुर्जनः प्रियवादी इति न एतत् विश्वास कारणम् ।
durjanaḥ priyavādī iti na etat viśvāsa kāraṇam ।

मधु तिष्ठति जिह्व अग्रे हृदये तु हलाहलम् ॥
madhu tiṣṭhati jihva agre hṛdaye tu halāhalam ॥

Alternate Transliteration:
durjanaH priyavaadIti naitadvishvaasakaaraNam ।
madhu tiShThati jihvaagre hRudaye tu halaahalam ॥
- hitopadesha

durjanaH priyavaadI iti na etat vishvaasa kaaraNam ।

madhu tiShThati jihva agre hRudaye tu halaahalam ॥