Harmful Friendship
.
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
kaṉaviṉu miṉṉātu maṉṉō viṉaivēṟu / colvēṟu paṭṭār toṭarpu.
How bitter—even in dreams—is connection with those whose deeds and words stand apart.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“E'en in a dream the intercourse is bitterness / With men whose deeds are other than their words profess.”
“Behold the men whose acts belie their spoken words: it is bitter to recall their fellowship even in dreams.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
வினைவேறு சொல் வேறு பட்டார் தொடர்பு = வினையும் சொல்லும் ஒவ்வாது வேறுவேறாய் இருப்பார் நட்பு; கனவினும் இன்னாது = நனவின்கண்ணே அன்றிக் கனவின் கண்ணும் இன்னாது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that relationship with people whose conduct and speech do not agree is painful not only in waking life but even in dreams.