Divisive Hostility
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mikaṉmēvaṉ meypporuḷ kāṇa rikaṉmēva / liṉṉā vaṟivi ṉavar.
Those whose harmful judgment clings to hostility cannot see the true and just principle that leads to victory.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“The very truth that greatness gives their eyes can never see, / Who only know to work men woe, fulfilled of enmity.”
“Behold the prince of spiteful nature who is ever addicted to strife: he will be blind to the policy that advanceth nations.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இகல் மேவல் இன்னா அறிவினவர்= இகலோடு மேவுதலையுடைய இன்னாத அறிவினை உடையார்; மிகல் மேவல் மெய்ப்பொருள் காணார்= வெற்றி பொருந்தலையுடைய நீதிநூற் பொருளை அறியமாட்டார்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar describes attachment to hostility as a painful condition of judgment. Such people fail to understand the true principle of justice that is fitted to victory. The victory here is not intensified antagonism, but success reached by seeing and following the right course.