Courtesy and Consideration
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nakaiyuḷḷu miṉṉā tikaḻcci pakaiyuḷḷum / paṇpuḷa pāṭaṟivār māṭṭu.
“Contempt is evil though in sport. They who man's nature know, / E'en in their wrath, a courteous mind will show.”
“Disparaging words pain a man even when uttered only in jest: the well-bred therefore are never discourteous even to their foes.”
Mockery hurts even in jest; those who understand others show gracious courtesy even toward foes.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
இகழ்ச்சி நகையுள்ளும் இன்னாது= தன்னை இகழ்தல் ஒருவற்கு விளையாட்டின்கண்ணும் இன்னாது; பாடு அறிவார் மாட்டுப் பகையுள்ளும் பண்பு உள= ஆகலான், பிறர் பாடு அறிந்து ஒழுகுவார்மாட்டுப் பகைமை உள்வழியும், அஃது உளதாகாது இனியவாய பண்புகளே உளவாவன.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Contempt is painful even when done in jest; therefore, in those who understand the feelings and nature of others, even amidst enmity, contempt will not arise—only gracious courtesy will prevail.