Knowing Strength
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amaintāṅ koḻukā ṉaḷavaṟiyāṉ ṟaṉṉai / viyantāṉ viraintu keṭum
“Who not agrees with those around, no moderation knows, / In self-applause indulging, swift to ruin goes.”
“Behold the men who know not to live in peace, who know not their own measure and who are full of self-conceit: they will have a swift end.”
One who neither lives in accord with surrounding powers nor knows his own measure, but admires himself, quickly comes to ruin.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
ஆங்கு அமைந்து ஒழுகான்= அயல் வேந்தரோடு பொருந்தி ஒழுகுவதுஞ் செய்யாது; அளவு அறியான்= தன் வலியளவு அறிவதுஞ்செய்யாது; தன்னை வியந்தான்= தன்னை வியந்து அவரோடு பகைத்த அரசன்; விரைந்து கெடும்= விரையக் கெடும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Whoever refuses to live in peaceful harmony with others, fails to understand their own limitations, and indulges in self-admiration will swiftly meet their ruin.