Old Tamil Poetry

Thirukkural – 1302

Like needed amount of salt, is lover’s tiff; like a bit
more than needed, is prolonging it.

உப்பு அமைந்தற்றால், புலவி; அது சிறிது
மிக்கற்றால், நீள விடல்.

Mock anger with one’s lover while making love is like salt added to food. It should be of the right quantity (duration) to spice up the experience. However, if one extends the duration of sulking, then it spoils the  love making mood just like how excess salt spoils the food.

Paraphrasing the about couplet

Lover’s tiff is like salt to food;
excess of it is not good.