Kural #100
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Tamil text
இனிய உளவாக இன்னாத கூறல்
கனிஇருப்பக் காய்கவர்ந் தற்று
Iṉiya uḷavāka iṉṉāta kūறal
Kaṉiiruppak kāykavarn taṟṟu
English translation
To speak harsh words when pleasant ones are available is like choosing unripe fruit when ripe ones are at hand.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar concludes the chapter with a memorable analogy. Why pick a sour, unripe fruit (காய்) when sweet, ripe fruit (கனி) is available? Similarly, why use harsh words when kind words are just as easy to speak? This brilliant comparison makes the teaching unforgettable.
விளக்கம்
இனிய சொற்கள் இருக்கும்போது, கடுஞ்சொல் பேசுவது, பழம் இருக்க காய் பறிப்பது போல. இனியவை கூறல் அதிகாரத்தின்படி, நல்ல வார்த்தைகள் பேசினால் நன்மை கிடைக்கும். கனி இருக்கும்போது காய் ஏன்? அதுபோல, இனிமை இருக்கும்போது கடுமை ஏன்?
Word meanings
- இனியiṉiyapleasant things
- உளவாகuḷavākabeing available
- இன்னாதiṉṉātaunpleasant/harsh
- கூறல்kūṟalspeaking
- கனிkaṉiripe fruit
- இருப்பiruppabeing present
- காய்kāyunripe fruit
- கவர்ந்தற்றுkavarntaṟṟulike picking/seizing
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two sisters, Anya and Maya. Anya was known for her sharp tongue, while Maya always spoke with a gentle voice. One day, a traveling merchant arrived, displaying beautiful silks. Anya, wanting a crimson scarf, demanded, "That one! And be quick about it!" The merchant, startled, simply pointed to the price. Maya, however, admired a blue shawl. Smiling, she asked, "That is a lovely color. Might I inquire about its cost?" The merchant, delighted by her kindness, showed her the finest silks, even offering a small discount. Anya, witnessing this, received her scarf with a frown. Maya, having purchased her shawl, later noticed a small tear. Approaching the merchant, she explained the flaw. The merchant, touched by her honesty, offered to mend it, and gifted her a matching ribbon. Anya huffed, but Maya simply smiled, her blue shawl now complete.