Internal Enmity
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maṉamāṇā vuṭpakai tōṉṟi ṉiṉamāṇā / vētam palavun tarum.
If internal enmity arises from a mind not truly in accord, it brings many faults that estrange one’s own circle.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“If secret enmities arise that minds pervert, / Then even kin unkind will work thee grievous hurt.”
“If thou have an enemy that masqueradeth about as thy friend, he will soon corrupt thy kindred and bring down a multitude of evils on thy head.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
மனம் மாணா உட்பகை தோன்றின்=புறம் திருந்தியது போன்று அகம் திருந்தாத உட்பகை அரசனுக்கு உண்டாவதாயின்; இனம் மாணா ஏதம் பலவும் தரும்= அஃது அவனுக்குச் சுற்றம் வயமாகாமைக்கு ஏதுவாகிய குற்றம் பலவற்றையும் கொடுக்கும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that if internal enmity arises in a ruler—outwardly appearing proper while inwardly unreconciled—it produces many faults that cause his surrounding circle not to remain on his side. The claim does not make every private disagreement an enemy. It concerns concealed hostility enacted through conduct, multiplying into failures that alienate the wider group.