Kural #194
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
நயன்சாரா நன்மையின் நீக்கும்
பயன்சாராப் பண்பில்சொல் பல்லா ரகத்து
Nayaṉcārā naṉmaiyiṉ nīkkum
Payaṉcārāp paṇpilcol pallā rakattu
English translation
Useless, uncultured words before many will remove one from goodness and esteem.
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Explanation
Speaking without purpose or refinement in public removes one from the company of the good and esteemed. Both content (பயன்) and manner (பண்பு) matter in speech.
விளக்கம்
பயனில்லாத, பண்பில்லாத சொற்கள் பலபேர் முன்னிலையில் பேசினால், அது நம்மை நல்ல குணங்களிலிருந்தும், மதிப்பிலிருந்தும் விலக்கிவிடும். பயனற்ற வார்த்தைகளை பேசுவது இந்த அதிகாரத்தின் படி தவறு. நல்ல சொற்களை பேசுவது நல்லது.
Word meanings
- நயன்nayaṉesteem/wisdom
- சாராcārānot reaching
- நன்மையின்naṉmaiyiṉfrom goodness
- நீக்கும்nīkkumwill remove
- பயன்payaṉbenefit
- பண்புpaṇpuculture/refinement
- இல்ilwithout
- சொல்colwords
- பல்லார்pallārmany
- அகத்துakattuamong/before
Story behind this kural
In a bustling village square, stood a wise old merchant, known for his shrewd dealings and eloquent tongue. Gathered around him were eager villagers, hoping to learn his secrets. A young farmer, eager to impress, began to boast loudly about a fictional contest he claimed to have won, filling the air with exaggerated details of his supposed victory. The merchant listened patiently, his brow furrowed. When the farmer paused for breath, the merchant simply smiled and turned to address the crowd, sharing insightful observations about the season’s harvest. His words were filled with practical wisdom and gentle humor, leaving the villagers nodding in agreement. As the day waned, the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving the farmer alone. He approached the merchant, expecting praise. Instead, the merchant offered him a kind nod, but no words. The farmer, sensing his folly, understood that empty words and boastful claims held no value compared to genuine knowledge and thoughtful discourse.