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பகைத்திறம் தெரிதல்: Knowing the Quality of Hate
About this chapter
பகைத்திறம் தெரிதல், knowing the quality of hate, is practical advice on how to handle enmity and opponents. It begins with a warning against courting enmity, then gives rules of conduct.
Kural 871 says that no one should wish for enmity even in jest. Kural 872 gives the chapter's best-known line: even if you make enemies of those whose ploughs are bows, do not make enemies of those whose ploughs are words. Kural 873 says that a person who stands alone and earns the hatred of many is more foolish than a madman. Kural 874 praises the person who can turn foes into friends, saying the world rests on such a person, and Kural 875 advises someone alone against two enemies to win one of them over. Kural 876 recommends caution in a time of distress, neither trusting nor breaking with the opponent. Kural 877 says not to tell your troubles to those who cannot understand them, or show weakness to a foe. Kural 878 says to defend oneself with knowledge, and Kural 879 compares enmity to a thorn tree that is best cut while young, before it hurts the hand. Kural 880 closes with the warning that those who do not curb the pride of their angry foes will not even have the chance to breathe.
Kural 872 and Kural 879 are the two to know.
For the syllabus, it fits governance, diplomacy and statecraft, and Kural 874 also fits universal values.
The 10 kurals of பகைத்திறம் தெரிதல்
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.
பகைஎன்னும் பண்பி லதனை ஒருவன்
நகையேயும் வேண்டற்பாற்று அன்று.
Pakaiennum Panpi Ladhanai Oruvan
Nakaiyeyum Ventarpaatru Andru
For Hate, that ill-conditioned thing not e'en in jestLet any evil longing rule your breast
வில்லேர் உழவர் பகைகொளினும் கொள்ளற்க
சொல்லேர் உழவர் பகை.
Viller Uzhavar Pakaikolinum Kollarka
Soller Uzhavar Pakai
Although you hate incur of those whose ploughs are bows, Make not the men whose ploughs are words your foes
ஏமுற் றவரினும் ஏழை தமியனாய்ப்
பல்லார் பகைகொள் பவன்.
Emur Ravarinum Ezhai Thamiyanaaip
Pallaar Pakaikol Pavan
Than men of mind diseased, a wretch more utterly forlorn, Is he who stands alone, object of many foeman's scorn
பகைநட்பாக் கொண்டொழுகும் பண்புடை யாளன்
தகைமைக்கண் தங்கிற்று உலகு.
Pakainatpaak Kontozhukum Panputai Yaalan
Thakaimaikkan Thangitru Ulaku
The world secure on his dexterity depends, Whose worthy rule can change his foes to friends
தன்துணை இன்றால் பகையிரண்டால் தான்ஒருவன்
இன்துணையாக் கொள்கவற்றின் ஒன்று.
Thandhunai Indraal Pakaiyirantaal Thaanoruvan
Indhunaiyaak Kolkavatrin Ondru
Without ally, who fights with twofold enemy o'ermatched, Must render one of these a friend attached
தேறினும் தேறா விடினும் அழிவின்கண்
தேறான் பகாஅன் விடல்.
Thera�num Theraa Vitinum Azhivinkan
Theraan Pakaaan Vital
Whether you trust or not, in time of sore distress, Questions of diff'rence or agreement cease to press
நோவற்க நொந்தது அறியார்க்கு மேவற்க
மென்மை பகைவர் அகத்து.
Novarka Nondhadhu Ariyaarkku Mevarka
Menmai Pakaivar Akaththu
To those who know them not, complain not of your woes; Nor to your foeman's eyes infirmities disclose
வகையறிந்து தற்செய்து தற்காப்ப மாயும்
பகைவர்கண் பட்ட செருக்கு.
Vakaiyarindhu Tharseydhu Tharkaappa Maayum
Pakaivarkan Patta Serukku
Know thou the way, then do thy part, thyself defend; Thus shall the pride of those that hate thee have an end
இளைதாக முள்மரம் கொல்க களையுநர்
கைகொல்லும் காழ்த்த இடத்து.
Ilaidhaaka Mulmaram Kolka Kalaiyunar
Kaikollum Kaazhththa Itaththu
Destroy the thorn, while tender point can work thee no offence; Matured by time, 'twill pierce the hand that plucks it thence
உயிர்ப்ப உளரல்லர் மன்ற செயிர்ப்பவர்
செம்மல் சிதைக்கலா தார்.
Uyirppa Ularallar Mandra Seyirppavar
Semmal Sidhaikkalaa Thaar
But breathe upon them, and they surely die, Who fail to tame the pride of angry enemy
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