Divisive Hostility
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pakalkarutip paṟṟā ceyiṉu mikalkaruti / yiṉṉācey yāmai talai.
Even if another person, seeking disunion, does what alienates or hurts you, the higher course is not to inflict hurt in return for the sake of hostility.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Though men disunion plan, and do thee much despite / 'Tis best no enmity to plan, nor evil deeds requite.”
“Even when thy neighbour injureth thee with the deliberate purpose of picking a quarrel, even then it is best not to harbour vengeance or return the injury.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
பகல் கருதிப் பற்றா செயினும்= தம்மோடு கூடாமையைக் கருதி ஒருவன் வெறுப்பன செய்தானாயினும்; இகல் கருதி இன்ன செய்யாமை தலை= அவனோடு மாறுபடுதலைக் குறித்துத் தாம் அவனுக்கு இன்னாதவற்றைச் செய்யாமை உயர்ந்தது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says that even when someone deliberately does what alienates or hurts us in order to avoid fellowship, the higher course is not to inflict pain in return merely to sustain hostility. This does not require silence or continued exposure to harm. Documentation, help, lawful accountability, protective boundaries, and leaving are valid. The line is against creating a second injury as revenge.