The Character of Enmity
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añcu maṟiyā ṉamaivila ṉīkalāṉ / ṟañca meḷiyaṉ pakaikku.
One who fears what need not be feared, does not learn what must be known, lacks accord, and will not give becomes easy for an enemy to overcome.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“A craven thing! knows nought, accords with none, gives nought away; / To wrath of any foe he falls an easy prey.”
“There is a prince that hath neither courage nor understanding nor liberality, and yet will not live in peace with his neighbours: he is an easy prey to his foes.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அஞ்சும்= ஒருவன் அஞ்சவேண்டாதவற்றிற்கு அஞ்சாநிற்கும்; அறியான்= அறியவேண்டுமவற்றை அறியான்; அமைவு இலன்= பிறரோடு பொருத்தமிலன்; ஈகலான்= இவற்றின்மேலும், யாவர்மாட்டும் இவறன் மாலையன்; பகைக்குத் தஞ்சம் எளியன்= இப்பெற்றியான் பகைவர்க்கு மிகவெளியன்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that one who fears what need not be feared, fails to know what should be known, has no accord with others, and gives to no one becomes exceedingly easy for enemies.