Kural #184
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Tamil text
கண்ணின்று கண்ணறச் சொல்லினும்
சொல்லற்க முன்னின்று பின்நோக்காச் சொல்
Kaṇṇiṉṟu kaṇṇaṟac colliṉum
Collaṟka muṉṉiṉṟu piṉnōkkāc col
English translation
Even if you must speak harsh truth to someone's face, never speak words behind them that you wouldn't say in front.
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Explanation
Direct criticism, even if harsh, is acceptable. What is not acceptable is saying something behind a person's back that you would not say to their face. Courage in criticism is better than cowardly gossip.
விளக்கம்
கண்ணெதிரே கருணையில்லாமல் சொன்னாலும் பரவாயில்லை. ஆனால், ஒருவரைப் பற்றி அவர் இல்லாதபோது, அவர் முன்னால் சொல்ல முடியாத வார்த்தைகளைச் சொல்லக்கூடாது. புறங்கூறாமை அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். தைரியமாக நேருக்கு நேர் பேசுவதே நல்லது.
Word meanings
- கண்kaṇpresence/eye
- நின்றுniṉṟustanding
- கண்kaṇmercy
- அறaṟawithout
- சொல்லினும்colliṉumeven if speaking
- சொல்லற்கcollaṟkaspeak not
- முன்muṉbefore
- நின்றுniṉṟustanding
- பின்piṉafter/behind
- நோக்காnōkkānot considering
- சொல்colwords
Story behind this kural
The village of Eldoria was known for its lively marketplace. Old Man Hemlock, a skilled carpenter, often grumbled about the baker, Silas, whose bread, he claimed, was consistently underbaked. He'd mutter this to anyone who'd listen, especially when Silas wasn't around. One day, Hemlock found himself face-to-face with Silas, discussing the price of wood. The carpenter, remembering his complaints, felt a familiar irritation rise. Gathering his courage, he said, "Silas, your bread is often… lacking. The villagers complain it's too soft." Silas, surprised but composed, replied, "Hemlock, I am always striving to improve." He then explained the challenges of the oven that day. Later, Hemlock saw the baker speaking with a neighbor, and he expected more complaints. Instead, Silas was offering the neighbor a fresh loaf, explaining he was experimenting with a new recipe. Hemlock, watching this, felt a peculiar sense of admiration for the baker's honest actions.