Divisive Hostility
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
ikaliṉ mikaliṉi teṉpavaṉ vāḻkkai / tavaluṅ keṭalu naṇittu.
“The life of those who cherished enmity hold dear, / To grievous fault and utter death is near.”
“Behold the man who taketh delight in breathing defiance against his neighbours: it will not be long before he doth stumble and fall.”
The life of one who says that surpassing others through hostility is sweet stands close to error and complete ruin.
Ask about this Kural
Answers are drawn only from this Kural's sourced text and named commentary, and always cite what they used.
Choose a section
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இகலின் மிகல் இனிது என்பவன் வாழ்க்கை= பிறரொடு மாறுபடுதற்கண் மிகுதல் எனக்கு இனிதென்று அதனைச் செய்வானது உயிர்வாழ்க்கை; தவலும் கெடலும் நணித்து= பிழைத்தலும் முற்றக்கெடுதலும் சிறிது பொழுதுள் உளவாம்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
The life of one who delights in escalating hostility and triumphing through bitter contention will soon meet with grave missteps and total ruin.