The Character of Enmity
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nīṅkāṉ vekuḷi niṟaiyila ṉeññāṉṟum / yāṅkaṇum yārkku meḷitu.
One who never leaves anger and has no self-command is easy for anyone to overcome—at any time, in any place.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“His wrath still blazes, every secret told; each day / This man's in every place to every foe an easy prey.”
“Behold the prince who is always ill-tempered and who controlleth not his tongue: he will be an easy prey to everybody at all times and at all places.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
வெகுளி நீங்கான்= ஒருவன் வெகுளியின் நீங்கான்; நிறை இலன்= அதுவேயன்றித் தான் நிறையுடையன் அல்லன்; எஞ்ஞான்றும் யாங்கணும் யார்க்கும் எளிது= அவன்மேற்சேறல் எக்காலத்தும் எவ்விடத்தும் யார்க்கும் எளிது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that a person who does not leave anger and also lacks self-command is easy for anyone to move against, at any time and in any place.