The Glory Of Enmity (By St. Thiruvalluvar) Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

861.Avoid your animosity with the stronger
But endure it with the weaker.
862.If he has no love of kinsmen, friendly support
and strength of his own, how can he overcome the foe?
863.He who surrenders is cowardly, knows not the needy, single
and miserly and will be an easy prey to the foe.
864.His blazing wrath, and unsteady mind will make him
An easy prey, in all the days and the places, to the foe.
865.He who reads not moral works, does nothing of the things,
Cares not for reproach and bad is a pleasure to the foe.
866.Blind rage and lechery in one will be welcomed
By the foe with open arms.
867.Give something and buy his enmity who is beside you
As an ally and does harm oneself.
868.If one has no virtues but many vices
One will be friendless and his plight emboldens the foes.
869.It is a lofty pleasure to beat the foes
Who are ignorant and timid.
870.No fame to you if you don’t gain the trifling reputation
Of having fought an unethical and unlearned foe.