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பகை மாட்சி: The Might of Hatred
About this chapter
பகை மாட்சி, the might of hatred (or the "excellence" of an enemy), is a chapter about whose enmity is good to have. It studies the weaknesses that make an opponent easy to defeat. Read the other way, it is also a checklist of faults to avoid in oneself.
Kural 861 begins with the choice of opponent: avoid contending with the strong, but do not shrink from the weak. Kurals 862 and 863 describe the easily beaten foe, who has no love, no allies and no strength of his own, or who is timid, ignorant, unsociable and miserly. Kural 864 adds uncontrolled anger and an inability to keep secrets, and Kural 865 adds disregard for good conduct and for reproach. Kural 866 names blind rage and excessive desire, and Kural 867 goes so far as to say that the enmity of one who spoils his own work is worth buying. Kural 868 says that someone with many faults and no good qualities will be friendless, and a help to his enemies. Kural 869 speaks of the joy of those whose foes are ignorant and timid, and Kural 870 ends with a surprising claim that glory does not come to a person who will not even take on an unlearned rival.
Kural 864 is the most useful, because anger and indiscretion bring a person down in any setting.
For the syllabus, it fits governance and statecraft, with a lesson in self-discipline.
The 10 kurals of பகை மாட்சி
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
வலியார்க்கு மாறேற்றல் ஓம்புக ஓம்பா
மெலியார்மேல் மேக பகை.
Valiyaarkku Maaretral Ompuka Ompaa
Meliyaarmel Meka Pakai
With stronger than thyself, turn from the strife away; With weaker shun not, rather court the fray
அன்பிலன் ஆன்ற துணையிலன் தான்துவ்வான்
என்பரியும் ஏதிலான் துப்பு.
Anpilan Aandra Thunaiyilan Thaandhuvvaan
Enpariyum Edhilaan Thuppu
No kinsman's love, no strength of friends has he; How can he bear his foeman's enmity
அஞ்சும் அறியான் அமைவிலன் ஈகலான்
தஞ்சம் எளியன் பகைக்கு.
Anjum Ariyaan Amaivilan Eekalaan
Thanjam Eliyan Pakaikku
A craven thing! knows nought, accords with none, gives nought away; To wrath of any foe he falls an easy prey
நீங்கான் வெகுளி நிறையிலன் எஞ்ஞான்றும்
யாங்கணும் யார்க்கும் எளிது.
Neengaan Vekuli Niraiyilan Egngnaandrum
Yaanganum Yaarkkum Elidhu
His wrath still blazes, every secret told; each dayThis man's in every place to every foe an easy prey
வழிநோக்கான் வாய்ப்பன செய்யான் பழிநோக்கான்
பண்பிலன் பற்றார்க்கு இனிது.
Vazhinokkaan Vaaippana Seyyaan Pazhinokkaan
Panpilan Patraarkku Inidhu
No way of right he scans, no precepts bind, no crimes affright, No grace of good he owns; such man's his foes' delight
காணாச் சினத்தான் கழிபெருங் காமத்தான்
பேணாமை பேணப் படும்.
Kaanaach Chinaththaan Kazhiperung Kaamaththaan
Penaamai Penap Patum
Blind in his rage, his lustful passions rage and swell; If such a man mislikes you, like it well
கொடுத்தும் கொளல்வேண்டும் மன்ற அடுத்திருந்து
மாணாத செய்வான் பகை.
Kotuththum Kolalventum Mandra Atuththirundhu
Maanaadha Seyvaan Pakai
Unseemly are his deeds, yet proffering aid, the man draws nigh:His hate- 'tis cheap at any price- be sure to buy
குணனிலனாய்க் குற்றம் பலவாயின் மாற்றார்க்கு
இனனிலனாம் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.
Kunanilanaaik Kutram Palavaayin Maatraarkku
Inanilanaam Emaap Putaiththu
No gracious gifts he owns, faults many cloud his fame; His foes rejoice, for none with kindred claim
செறுவார்க்குச் சேணிகவா இன்பம் அறிவிலா
அஞ்சும் பகைவர்ப் பெறின்.
Seruvaarkkuch Chenikavaa Inpam Arivilaa
Anjum Pakaivarp Perin
The joy of victory is never far removed from thoseWho've luck to meet with ignorant and timid foes
கல்லான் வெகுளும் சிறுபொருள் எஞ்ஞான்றும்
ஒல்லானை ஒல்லா தொளி.
Kallaan Vekulum Siruporul Egngnaandrum
Ollaanai Ollaa Tholi
The task of angry war with men unlearned in virtue's loreWho will not meet, glory shall meet him never more
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