Divisive Hostility
.
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
ikaliṉ mikaliṉi teṉpavaṉ vāḻkkai / tavaluṅ keṭalu naṇittu.
The life of one who says that surpassing others through hostility is sweet stands close to error and complete ruin.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“The life of those who cherished enmity hold dear, / To grievous fault and utter death is near.”
“Behold the man who taketh delight in breathing defiance against his neighbours: it will not be long before he doth stumble and fall.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இகலின் மிகல் இனிது என்பவன் வாழ்க்கை= பிறரொடு மாறுபடுதற்கண் மிகுதல் எனக்கு இனிதென்று அதனைச் செய்வானது உயிர்வாழ்க்கை; தவலும் கெடலும் நணித்து= பிழைத்தலும் முற்றக்கெடுதலும் சிறிது பொழுதுள் உளவாம்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says that for one who finds it pleasant to excel in hostility toward others, fault and utter ruin will arise within a short time. The verse does not claim that any conflict guarantees disaster. It warns of a causal pattern: when provocation, humiliation, and retaliation themselves become the desired victory, safety, trust, resources, and opportunity are rapidly spent.