न खल्वहं त्वां तुलये नावमन्ये न भीषये।कर्मभिस्तस्य भीमैस्तु कातर्यं जनितं मम4.11.80।।
na khalv ahaṃ tvāṃ tulaye nāvamanye na bhīṣaye |
karmabhis tasya bhīmais tu kātaryaṃ janitaṃ mama || 4.11.80 ||
Quả thật, ta không đem ngài ra so sánh, cũng không hề khinh mạn, càng không có ý hù dọa; chỉ vì những hành vi ghê rợn của Vāli mà lòng ta sinh ra khiếp nhược.
'The dreadful acts of Vali have made me feel timid. This is not to compare you with him or your strength with his or insult you and scare you.
Respectful truthfulness: Sugriva clarifies his fear without insulting Rama, showing that honest speech should still preserve another’s dignity.
Sugriva reassures Rama that his hesitation is not contempt; it arises from Vali’s terrifying conduct and past experience.
Humility and courtesy—Sugriva avoids offense while stating facts.