Assessing Enmity
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
vakaiyaṟintu taṟceytu taṟkāppa māyum / pakaivarkaṭ paṭṭa cerukku.
“Know thou the way, then do thy part, thyself defend; / Thus shall the pride of those that hate thee have an end.”
“Form a wise plan, consolidate thy resources, and provide for thy defences: if thou do this, it will not be long before the pride of thy enemies is humbled to the dust.”
Understand the proper method, build yourself to match it, and protect yourself; then the confidence lodged in your enemies will disappear.
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.
வகை அறிந்து தற்காப்ப= தான் வினைசெய்யும் வகையை அறிந்து, அது முடிதற்கேற்பத் தன்னைப் பெருக்கி மறவி புகாமல் தன்னைக் காக்கவே; பகைவர்கண் பட்ட செருக்கு மாயும்= தன் பகைவர் மாட்டு உளதாய களிப்புக் கெடும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Discern the proper method, fortify your resources, and guard yourself vigilantly; then the arrogant confidence nurtured by your enemies will vanish into nothingness.