Assessing Enmity
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Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
iḷaitāka muḷmaram kolka kaḷaiyunar / kaikolluṅ kāḻtta viṭattu.
Remove the thorn tree while it is still tender; once it has matured, it will injure the hand of the person who tries to clear it.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Destroy the thorn, while tender point can work thee no offence; / Matured by time, 'twill pierce the hand that plucks it thence.”
“Fell down thorn-trees while yet they are young: for when they are overgrown they will themselves cut the hand that attempteth to fell them.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
முள் மரம் இளைதாகக் கொல்க= களைய வேண்டுவதாய முள்மரத்தை இளைதாய நிலைமைக்கண் களைக; காழ்த்தவிடத்துக் களையுநர் கைகொல்லும்= அன்றியே முதிர்ந்த நிலைமைக்கண் களையலுறின் களைவார் கையினை அதுதான் களையும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that a thorn tree meant to be removed should be cleared while still tender; if removal is attempted after it matures, it will injure the remover’s own hand. In the ancient political setting this is a metaphor for enmity allowed to grow. A humane modern application directs proportionate early action at harmful patterns, defects, or risks —never at people or communities.