TIRUKKURAL, Mysticism, reading, forums, Numerology, Sun Signs, Divination

Posts: 4397 · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:51 pm

2.3.13. Hostility

851
Hostility disunion's plague will bring,
That evil quality, to every living thing.
The disease which fosters the evil of disunion among all creatures is termed hatred by the wise.

852
Though men disunion plan, and do thee much despite
'Tis best no enmity to plan, nor evil deeds requite.
Though disagreeable things may be done from (a feeling of) disunion, it is far better that nothing painful be done from (that of) hatred.

853
If enmity, that grievous plague, you shun,
Endless undying praises shall be won.
To rid one-self of the distressing dtsease of hatred will bestow (on one) a never-decreasing imperishable fame.

854
Joy of joys abundant grows,
When malice dies that woe of woes.
If hatred which is the greatest misery is destroyed, it will yield the greatest delight.

855
If men from enmity can keep their spirits free,
Who over them shall gain the victory?
Who indeed would think of conquering those who naturally shrink back from hatred ?

856
The life of those who cherished enmity hold dear,
To grievous fault and utter death is near.
Failure and ruin are not far from him who says it is sweet to excel in hatred.

857
The very truth that greatness gives their eyes can never see,
Who only know to work men woe, fulfilled of enmity.
Those whose judgement brings misery through its connection with hatred cannot understand the triumphant nature of truth.

858
'Tis gain to turn the soul from enmity;
Ruin reigns where this hath mastery.
Shrinking back from hatred will yield wealth; indulging in its increase will hasten ruin.

859
Men think not hostile thought in fortune's favouring hour,
They cherish enmity when in misfortune's power.
At the approach of wealth one will not think of hatred (but) to secure one's ruin, one will look to its increase.

860
From enmity do all afflictive evils flow;
But friendliness doth wealth of kindly good bestow.
All calamities are caused by hatred; but by the delight (of friendship) is caused the great wealth of good virtues.

2.3.14. The Might of Hatred

861
With stronger than thyself, turn from the strife away;
With weaker shun not, rather court the fray.
Avoid offering resistance to the strong; (but) never fail to cherish enmity towards the weak.

862
No kinsman's love, no strength of friends has he;
How can he bear his foeman's enmity?
How can he who is unloving, destitute of powerful aids, and himself without strength overcome the might of his foe ?

863
A craven thing! knows nought, accords with none, gives nought away;
To wrath of any foe he falls an easy prey.
In the estimation of foes miserably weak is he, who is timid, ignorant, unsociable and niggardly.

864
His wrath still blazes, every secret told; each day
This man's in every place to every foe an easy prey.
He who neither refrains from anger nor keeps his secrets will at all times and in all places be easily conquered by all.

865
No way of right he scans, no precepts bind, no crimes affright,
No grace of good he owns; such man's his foes' delight.
(A) pleasing (object) to his foes is he who reads not moral works, does nothing that is enjoined by them cares not for reproach and is not possessed of good qualities.

866
Blind in his rage, his lustful passions rage and swell;
If such a man mislikes you, like it well.
Highly to be desired is the hatred of him whose anger is blind, and whose lust increases beyond measure.

867
Unseemly are his deeds, yet proffering aid, the man draws nigh:
His hate- 'tis cheap at any price- be sure to buy!
It is indeed necessary to obtain even by purchase the hatred of him who having begun (a work) does what is not conductive (to its accomplishment).

868
No gracious gifts he owns, faults many cloud his fame;
His foes rejoice, for none with kindred claim.
He will become friendless who is without (any good) qualities. and whose faults are many; (such a character) is a help to (his) foes.

869
The joy of victory is never far removed from those
Who've luck to meet with ignorant and timid foes.
There will be no end of lofty delights to the victorious, if their foes are (both) ignorant and timid.

870
The task of angry war with men unlearned in virtue's lore
Who will not meet, glory shall meet him never more.
The light (of fame) will never be gained by him who gains not the trifling reputation of having fought an unlearned (foe).

2.3.15. Knowing the Quality of Hate

871
For Hate, that ill-conditioned thing not e'en in jest.
Let any evil longing rule your breast.
The evil of hatred is not of a nature to be desired by one even in sport.

872
Although you hate incur of those whose ploughs are bows,
Make not the men whose ploughs are words your foes!
Though you may incur the hatred of warriors whose ploughs are bows, incur not that of ministers whose ploughs are words.

873
Than men of mind diseased, a wretch more utterly forlorn,
Is he who stands alone, object of many foeman's scorn.
He who being alone, incurs the hatred of many is more infatuated than even mad men.

874
The world secure on his dexterity depends,
Whose worthy rule can change his foes to friends.
The world abides in the greatness of that good-natured man who behaves so as to turn hatred into friendship.

875
Without ally, who fights with twofold enemy o'ermatched,
Must render one of these a friend attached.
He who is alone and helpless while his foes are two should secure one of them as an agreeable help (to himself).

876
Whether you trust or not, in time of sore distress,
Questions of diff'rence or agreement cease to press.
Though (one's foe is) aware or not of one's misfortune one should act so as neither to join nor separate (from him).

877
To those who know them not, complain not of your woes;
Nor to your foeman's eyes infirmities disclose.
Relate not your suffering even to friends who are ignorant of it, nor refer to your weakness in the presence of your foes.

878
Know thou the way, then do thy part, thyself defend;
Thus shall the pride of those that hate thee have an end.
The joy of one's foes will be destroyed if one guards oneself by knowing the way (of acting) and securing assistance.

879
Destroy the thorn, while tender point can work thee no offence;
Matured by time, 'twill pierce the hand that plucks it thence.
A thorny tree should be felled while young, (for) when it is grown it will destroy the hand of the feller.

880
But breathe upon them, and they surely die,
Who fail to tame the pride of angry enemy.
Those who do not destroy the pride of those who hate (them) will certainly not exist even to breathe.