Knowing Strength
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
amaintāṅ koḻukā ṉaḷavaṟiyāṉ ṟaṉṉai / viyantāṉ viraintu keṭum
One who neither lives in accord with surrounding powers nor knows his own measure, but admires himself, quickly comes to ruin.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Who not agrees with those around, no moderation knows, / In self-applause indulging, swift to ruin goes.”
“Behold the men who know not to live in peace, who know not their own measure and who are full of self-conceit: they will have a swift end.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஆங்கு அமைந்து ஒழுகான்= அயல் வேந்தரோடு பொருந்தி ஒழுகுவதுஞ் செய்யாது; அளவு அறியான்= தன் வலியளவு அறிவதுஞ்செய்யாது; தன்னை வியந்தான்= தன்னை வியந்து அவரோடு பகைத்த அரசன்; விரைந்து கெடும்= விரையக் கெடும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar joins three errors: refusing workable relations with neighbouring rulers, failing to know one's own measure, and replacing judgment with self-admiration; together they hasten political ruin.