Shallow Understanding
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aṟivilār tāntammaip pīḻikkum pīḻai / ceṟuvārkkuñ ceyta laritu.
The suffering that those lacking sound understanding inflict upon themselves is difficult even for their enemies to cause.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“With keener anguish foolish men their own hearts wring, / Than aught that even malice of their foes can bring.”
“The troubles that a fool bringeth down on his head, it is hard even for his enemies to cause him.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அறிவிலார் தாம் தம்மைப் பீழிக்கும் பீழை= புல்லறிவுடையார் தாமே தம்மை வருத்தும் வருத்தம்; செறுவார்க்கும் செய்தல் அரிது= அது செய்தற்கு உரியராய தம்பகைவர்க்கும் செய்தல் அரிது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that the suffering people of shallow understanding bring upon themselves is difficult even for enemies—those disposed to harm them—to cause.