Chapter 89 – Enmity within / Utpakai
Couplet 881
Water and shade, if they unwholesome prove, will bring you pain
And qualities of friends who treacherous act, will be your bane.
Explanation
Shade and water are not pleasant, (if) they cause disease; so are the qualities of (one’s) relations not agreeable, (if) they cause pain.
Transliteration
Nizhalneerum Innaadha Innaa Thamarneerum
Innaavaam Innaa Seyin.
Couplet 882
Dread not the foes that as drawn swords appear;
Friendship of foes, who seem like kinsmen, fear.
Explanation
Fear not foes (who say they would cut) like a sword; (but) fear the friendship of foes (who seemingly.
Transliteration
Vaalpola Pakaivarai Anjarka Anjuka
Kelpol Pakaivar Thotarpu.
Couplet 883
Of hidden hate beware, and guard thy life;
In troublous time ’twill deeper wound than potter’s knife.
Explanation
Fear internal enmity and guard yourself; (if not) it will destroy (you) in an evil hour, as surely as the tool which cuts the potter’s clay.
Transliteration
Utpakai Anjiththar Kaakka Ulaivitaththu
Matpakaiyin Maanath Therum.
Couplet 884
If secret enmities arise that minds pervert,
Then even kin unkind will work thee grievous hurt.
Explanation
The secret enmity of a person whose mind in unreformed will lead to many evils causing disaffection among (one’s) relations.
Transliteration
Manamaanaa Utpakai Thondrin Inamaanaa
Edham Palavum Tharum.
Couplet 885
Amid one’s relatives if hidden hath arise,
‘Twill hurt inflict in deadly wise.
Explanation
If there appears internal hatred in a (king’s) family; it will lead to many a fatal crime.
Transliteration
Uralmuraiyaan Utpakai Thondrin Iralmuraiyaan
Edham Palavum Tharum.
Couplet 886
If discord finds a place midst those who dwelt at one before,
‘Tis ever hard to keep destruction from the door.
Explanation
If hatred arises among (one’s) own people, it will be hardly possible (for one) to escape death.
Transliteration
Ondraamai Ondriyaar Katpatin Egngnaandrum
Pondraamai Ondral Aridhu.
Couplet 887
As casket with its cover, though in one they live alway,
No union to the house where hate concealed hath sway.
Explanation
Never indeed will a family subject to internal hatred unite (really) though it may present an apparent union like that of a casket and its lid.
Transliteration
Seppin Punarchchipol Kootinum Kootaadhe
Utpakai Utra Kuti.
Couplet 888
As gold with which the file contends is worn away,
So strength of house declines where hate concealed hath sway.
Explanation
A family subject to internal hatred will wear out and lose its strength like iron that has been filed away.
Transliteration
Aramporudha Ponpolath Theyum Uramporudhu
Utpakai Utra Kuti.
Couplet 889
Though slight as shred of ‘seasame’ seed it be,
Destruction lurks in hidden enmity.
Explanation
Although internal hatred be as small as the fragment of the sesamum (seed), still does destruction dwell in it.
Transliteration
Etpaka Vanna Sirumaiththe Aayinum
Utpakai Ulladhaang Ketu.
Couplet 890
Domestic life with those who don’t agree,
Is dwelling in a shed with snake for company.
Explanation
Living with those who do not agree (with one) is like dwelling with a cobra (in the same) hut.
Transliteration
Utampaatu Ilaadhavar Vaazhkkai Kutangarul
Paampotu Utanurain Thatru.
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