Knowing the Quality of Hate

For Hate, that ill-conditioned thing not e'en in jest
Let any evil longing rule your breast

Explanation
The evil of hatred is not of a nature to be desired by one even in sport.

Tamil Transliteration
Pakaiennum Panpi Ladhanai Oruvan
Nakaiyeyum Ventarpaatru Andru.

Although you hate incur of those whose ploughs are bows,
Make not the men whose ploughs are words your foes

Explanation
Though you may incur the hatred of warriors whose ploughs are bows, incur not that of ministers whose ploughs are words.

Tamil Transliteration
Viller Uzhavar Pakaikolinum Kollarka
Soller Uzhavar Pakai.

Than men of mind diseased, a wretch more utterly forlorn,
Is he who stands alone, object of many foeman's scorn

Explanation
He who being alone, incurs the hatred of many is more infatuated than even mad men.

Tamil Transliteration
Emur Ravarinum Ezhai Thamiyanaaip
Pallaar Pakaikol Pavan.

The world secure on his dexterity depends,
Whose worthy rule can change his foes to friends

Explanation
Whose worthy rule can change his foes to friends.

Tamil Transliteration
Pakainatpaak Kontozhukum Panputai Yaalan
Thakaimaikkan Thangitru Ulaku.

Without ally, who fights with twofold enemy o'ermatched,
Must render one of these a friend attached

Explanation
He who is alone and helpless while his foes are two should secure one of them as an agreeable help (to himself).

Tamil Transliteration
Thandhunai Indraal Pakaiyirantaal Thaanoruvan
Indhunaiyaak Kolkavatrin Ondru.

Whether you trust or not, in time of sore distress,
Questions of diff'rence or agreement cease to press

Explanation
Though (one's foe is) aware or not of one's misfortune one should act so as neither to join nor separate (from him).

Tamil Transliteration
Thera?num Theraa Vitinum Azhivinkan
Theraan Pakaaan Vital.

To those who know them not, complain not of your woes;
Nor to your foeman's eyes infirmities disclose

Explanation
Relate not your suffering even to friends who are ignorant of it, nor refer to your weakness in the presence of your foes.

Tamil Transliteration
Novarka Nondhadhu Ariyaarkku Mevarka
Menmai Pakaivar Akaththu.

Know thou the way, then do thy part, thyself defend;
Thus shall the pride of those that hate thee have an end

Explanation
The joy of one's foes will be destroyed if one guards oneself by knowing the way (of acting) and securing assistance.

Tamil Transliteration
Vakaiyarindhu Tharseydhu Tharkaappa Maayum
Pakaivarkan Patta Serukku.

Destroy the thorn, while tender point can work thee no offence;
Matured by time, 'twill pierce the hand that plucks it thence

Explanation
A thorny tree should be felled while young, (for) when it is grown it will destroy the hand of the feller.

Tamil Transliteration
Ilaidhaaka Mulmaram Kolka Kalaiyunar
Kaikollum Kaazhththa Itaththu.

But breathe upon them, and they surely die,
Who fail to tame the pride of angry enemy

Explanation
Those who do not destroy the pride of those who hate (them) will certainly not exist even to breathe.

Tamil Transliteration
Uyirppa Ularallar Mandra Seyirppavar
Semmal Sidhaikkalaa Thaar.