Never believe the wicked though they are sweet tongued. The honey is only in the tip of their tongue–the heart is full of venom.

This saying is commonly attributed to Chanakya (Kauṭilya), the ancient Indian strategist and adviser associated with the rise of Chandragupta Maurya. It circulates in modern collections of “Chanakya quotes” and is often linked in spirit to the didactic, cautionary tone of the Chanakya/Nīti tradition, which warns rulers and householders against deception, flattery, and false allies. However, the wording as given appears to be an English rendering from later anthologies rather than a securely traceable line from a specific, identifiable Sanskrit verse in a standard critical edition. As a result, the precise occasion and original phrasing cannot be confidently fixed.

The aphorism contrasts persuasive speech (“sweet tongued,” “honey on the tip”) with inner intention (“heart…full of venom”), warning that eloquence can mask malice. Its moral psychology is pragmatic: trust should be based on character and consistent conduct, not on charm, compliments, or rhetorical skill. In political and social life—especially in courtly or competitive settings—flattery may function as a tool of manipulation, luring a target into complacency. The image of honey and venom underscores how deception often offers immediate pleasure while concealing long-term harm, urging vigilance, discernment, and a preference for proven integrity over pleasing words.

1) “Never trust the wicked, even if they speak sweetly; honey is on the tip of their tongue, but poison is in their heart.”
2) “Do not believe a bad man though he talks sweetly: the honey is only on his tongue; in his heart there is poison.”
3) “Beware of the sweet-tongued villain; his words are honey, his heart is venom.”