Kural #139
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
ஒழுக்க முடையவர்க்கு ஒல்லாவே
தீய வழுக்கியும் வாயாற் சொலல்
Oḻukka muṭaiyavarkku ollāvē
Tīya vaḻukkiyum vāyāṟ colal
English translation
Those of good conduct cannot bring themselves to speak evil words, even by a slip of the tongue.
Listen
Explanation
For the truly virtuous, evil speech is impossible - not just avoided but genuinely incapable. Even accidentally (வழுக்கியும் - slipping), their mouths will not produce harmful words. Good conduct has transformed their very nature.
விளக்கம்
ஒழுக்கமுடையவர் தீய சொற்களைத் தவறியும் சொல்ல மாட்டார். நன்னடத்தை உள்ளத்தில் பதிந்தால், தீமை பேச நா எழாது. இது ஒழுக்கமுடைமை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, நல்லொழுக்கம் பேச்சிலும் காக்க வேண்டும் என்கிறது.
Word meanings
- ஒழுக்கம்oḻukkamgood conduct
- உடையவர்க்குuṭaiyavarkkufor those who possess
- ஒல்லாவேollāvēis impossible
- தீயtīyaevil
- வழுக்கியும்vaḻukkiyumeven slipping
- வாயால்vāyālby mouth
- சொலல்colalto speak
Story behind this kural
In a quiet village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two sisters, Anya and Zara. Anya was known for her sharp tongue, quick to judge and criticize. Zara, however, possessed a gentle spirit, her words always kind and measured. One day, a merchant arrived, falsely accusing Anya of stealing his prized silk. Fury blazed in Anya's eyes. She opened her mouth, ready to unleash a torrent of angry words. But before the words could escape, Zara stepped forward. "Kind sir," she said to the merchant, her voice calm and steady, "perhaps there has been a misunderstanding. My sister would never do such a thing." Anya, surprised by Zara's intervention, watched as her sister, with thoughtful words, gently resolved the dispute. The merchant, ashamed, apologized. As they walked home, Anya asked Zara, "Why didn't you let me defend myself?" Zara smiled. "Because," she replied, "sometimes, silence speaks louder than any angry word." And in her heart, Anya understood.