Tirukkural Chapter 87 - Couplets 1,2,3 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 87 - பகை மாட்சி
CHAPTER 87 - ON ENIMITY
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87/01. வலியார்க்கு மாறேற்றல் ஓம்புக; ஓம்பா
மெலியார்மேல் மேக பகை.

87/01. Valiyaarkku maarretrral Ombuga; Ombaa
]meliyaarmel megha paghai

87/01. With weak enemies don't show too much of your enmity
With strong enemies try to build up your strength to attack them.
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Dushyant: A weakest person must go for peace terms
With a strong enemy.

Manoj: In the survival of the fittest,
It is not the weakest, but the strongest,
Will survive in any fitness test,
If you arrange for a contest.

The poet says, "Spare the weakest.
Fight with the strongest, "
For that he then advises
To strengthen the fighting forces.

He advises, "Build up a force
That'll finish the strongest
And your energy you don't waste,
In fighting with the weaker force.
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87/02. அன்பிலன்; அன்ற துணையிலன்; தான்துவ்வான்;
என்பரியும் ஏதிலான் துப்பு.

87/02. Anbilan; andrra thunnaiyilan; thaanthuvvaan;
Enbariyum eadhilaan thuppu.

87/02. When there is no love, he has more enemies.
He is weak in the absence of any helpful sources.
Then how will he defend himself against a strong enemy?
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Dushyant: One cannot fight with a strong enemy,
if he has no support in the absence of his love for others.

Manoj: When one has no love for others,
He'll have more enemies,
When he fights with a strong enemy
No one will come to his rescue.

He must strengthen his forces,
And love his friendly sources,
Then he can fight strong enemies,
With the help of his friends.

He must have fewer enemies
And have more friends
To build up his strength,
And survive on this earth.
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87/03. அஞ்சும்; அறியான்; அமைவிலன்; ஈகலான்
தஞ்சம் எளியன் பகைக்கு.

87/03. Anjum; arriyaan; amaivilan; eegalaan
Thanjam elliyan pagaikku.

87/03. He's a coward; he doesn't know his enemies' strength;
He's not timely wise, he's too hasty, and he's miserly, has no mind for charity; such a person submits himself to his enemies.
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Dushyant: With so much weakness
How can one face his enemies?

Manoj: First, a coward cannot fight.
He has other minus points.
He knows not enemy's strength.
He can't take spot decisions.

Too hasty he is, also a miser,
How can he be so wiser?
Can he fight his enemies,
Before whom he surrenders?

Such a weak person,
Can't fight anyone,
He has no leadership,
Nor has any friendship.
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