Assessing Enmity
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ēmuṟ ṟavariṉu mēḻai tamiyaṉāyp / pallār pakaikoḷ pavaṉ.
“Than men of mind diseased, a wretch more utterly forlorn, / Is he who stands alone, object of many foeman's scorn.”
“Behold the prince that hath no allies but challengeth to war a multitude of foes: he is more insane than even a madman.”
One who stands entirely alone yet takes on a multitude of foes is more foolish than the most bewildered of madmen.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
தமியனாய்ப் பல்லார் பகைகொள்பவன்= தான் தனியனாய் வைத்துப் பலரோடு பகை கொள்பவன்; ஏமுற்றவரினும் ஏழை= பித்துற்றாரினும் ஏழை.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
A person who stands utterly alone without allies, yet carelessly multiplies enemies, is more hopelessly foolish than one afflicted by madness.