*Harsh exterior of good persons *
नारिकेलफलाकाराः सज्जनास्सन्ति भूतले।
अन्ये बदरिकाकारा बहिरेव मनोहराः॥ Hitopadesha
Meaning: In this world, good people are like the coconut fruit. Others resemble a berry – pleasant only externally.
Explanation: We come across such people occasionally, even in these days of high etiquette and delicately cultivated manners. The poet here says that good people quite often may have a harsh exterior like a coconut. One has to take great pains to peel off the coir around the coconut and also use some force to break it and take out the kernel. But once it is taken out, it is delicious.
The bad ones on the other hand, may have a very pleasant, well cultivated exterior. It will not take much time for you to realize their real nature if you are in touch with them. The poet compares them to a berry fruit which looks quite beautiful and colorful to look at but when you open it you find tiny insects inside. Looks and manners should not delude us.
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