Thirukkural Chapter 88 - Knowing the Quality of Hate

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

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

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

Couplet 874 
The world secure on his dexterity depends,
Whose worthy rule can change his foes to friends
Explanation
Whose worthy rule can change his foes to friends

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

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

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

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

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

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