Chapter 87 – The Might of Hatred / Pakaimaatchi
Couplets / kuratpaakal
Couplet 861
With stronger than thyself, turn from the strife away;
With weaker shun not, rather court the fray.
Explanation
Avoid offering resistance to the strong; (but) never fail to cherish enmity towards the weak.
Transliteration
Valiyaarkku Maaretral Ompuka Ompaa
Meliyaarmel Meka Pakai.
Couplet 862
No kinsman’s love, no strength of friends has he;
How can he bear his foeman’s enmity.
Explanation
How can he who is unloving, destitute of powerful aids, and himself without strength overcome the might of his foe?
Transliteration
Anpilan Aandra Thunaiyilan Thaandhuvvaan
Enpariyum Edhilaan Thuppu.
Couplet 863
A craven thing! knows nought, accords with none, gives nought away;
To wrath of any foe he falls an easy prey.
Explanation
In the estimation of foes miserably weak is he, who is timid, ignorant, unsociable and niggardly.
Transliteration
Anjum Ariyaan Amaivilan Eekalaan
Thanjam Eliyan Pakaikku.
Couplet 864
His wrath still blazes, every secret told; each day
This man’s in every place to every foe an easy prey.
Explanation
He who neither refrains from anger nor keeps his secrets will at all times and in all places be easily conquered by all.
Transliteration
Neengaan Vekuli Niraiyilan Egngnaandrum
Yaanganum Yaarkkum Elidhu.
Couplet 865
No way of right he scans, no precepts bind, no crimes affright,
No grace of good he owns; such man’s his foes’ delight.
Explanation
(A) pleasing (object) to his foes is he who reads not moral works, does nothing that is enjoined by them cares not for reproach and is not possessed of good qualities.
Transliteration
Vazhinokkaan Vaaippana Seyyaan Pazhinokkaan
Panpilan Patraarkku Inidhu.
Couplet 866
Blind in his rage, his lustful passions rage and swell;
If such a man mislikes you, like it well.
Explanation
Highly to be desired is the hatred of him whose anger is blind, and whose lust increases beyond measure.
Transliteration
Kaanaach Chinaththaan Kazhiperung Kaamaththaan
Penaamai Penap Patum.
Couplet 867
Unseemly are his deeds, yet proffering aid, the man draws nigh:
His hate- ’tis cheap at any price- be sure to buy.
Explanation
It is indeed necessary to obtain even by purchase the hatred of him who having begun (a work) does what is not conductive (to its accomplishment).
Transliteration
Kotuththum Kolalventum Mandra Atuththirundhu
Maanaadha Seyvaan Pakai.
Couplet 868
No gracious gifts he owns, faults many cloud his fame;
His foes rejoice, for none with kindred claim.
Explanation
He will become friendless who is without (any good) qualities and whose faults are many; (such a character) is a help to (his) foes.
Transliteration
Kunanilanaaik Kutram Palavaayin Maatraarkku
Inanilanaam Emaap Putaiththu.
Couplet 869
The joy of victory is never far removed from those
Who’ve luck to meet with ignorant and timid foes.
Explanation
There will be no end of lofty delights to the victorious, if their foes are (both) ignorant and timid.
Transliteration
Seruvaarkkuch Chenikavaa Inpam Arivilaa
Anjum Pakaivarp Perin.
Couplet 870
The task of angry war with men unlearned in virtue’s lore
Who will not meet, glory shall meet him never more.
Explanation
The light (of fame) will never be gained by him who gains not the trifling reputation of having fought an unlearned (foe).
Transliteration
Kallaan Vekulum Siruporul Egngnaandrum
Ollaanai Ollaa Tholi.
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