The Might of Hatred

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Valiyaarkku Maaretral Ompuka Ompaa
Meliyaarmel Meka Pakai.

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 ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Anpilan Aandra Thunaiyilan Thaandhuvvaan
Enpariyum Edhilaan Thuppu.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Anjum Ariyaan Amaivilan Eekalaan
Thanjam Eliyan Pakaikku.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Neengaan Vekuli Niraiyilan Egngnaandrum
Yaanganum Yaarkkum Elidhu.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Vazhinokkaan Vaaippana Seyyaan Pazhinokkaan
Panpilan Patraarkku Inidhu.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Kaanaach Chinaththaan Kazhiperung Kaamaththaan
Penaamai Penap Patum.

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).

Tamil Transliteration
Kotuththum Kolalventum Mandra Atuththirundhu
Maanaadha Seyvaan Pakai.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Kunanilanaaik Kutram Palavaayin Maatraarkku
Inanilanaam Emaap Putaiththu.

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.

Tamil Transliteration
Seruvaarkkuch Chenikavaa Inpam Arivilaa
Anjum Pakaivarp Perin.

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).

Tamil Transliteration
Kallaan Vekulum Siruporul Egngnaandrum
Ollaanai Ollaa Tholi.