88.1 Assessing the Enemy’s Strength

 88.1 Assessing the Enemy’s Strength

Question:

            Who is stronger among the two kinds of enemies, those who use bows and arrows and those who use powerful words?

Answer:

A person may incur the enmity of the warriors with bows and arrows

but never ones who are skilled in the use of words.                   (Couplet – 872)

வில்லேர் உழவர் பகைகொளினும் கொள்ளற்க

சொல்லேர் உழவர் பகை.                                                      (குறள் – 872)

Explanation:

            It is easier to face and deal with a hostile army than to cope with those who use the arsenal of words as a weapon. Napoleon Bonaparte is believed to have said that “Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.” What Napoleon said is more accurate in the modern world, where the press, television, and social media can easily mobilize public opinion in their favor.