Old Tamil Poetry

Thirukkural – 1286

In his presence, I don’t notice his faults;
In his absence, I notice only his faults.

காணுங்காற் காணேன் தவறாய காணாக்காற்
காணேன் தவறல்ல வை.

காணுங்கால் காணேன் தவறு ஆய; காணாக்கால்,
காணேன், தவறு அல்லவை.

She pines for him and tells herself “when I see him I don’t see his faults. But when I don’t see him, I see only his faults.” All her anger about his long absence vanishes the moment she see him. 

I have taken liberty to translate “When I see him / don’t see him” as “in his presence / absence” and “I don’t notice anything but his faults” as “I notice only his faults”