Kural #197
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Tamil text
நயனில சொல்லினுஞ் சொல்லுக
சான்றோர் பயனில சொல்லாமை நன்று
Nayaṉila colliṉuñ colluka
Cāṉṟōr payaṉila collāmai naṉṟu
English translation
Even if one speaks unpleasant truths, it is good; but the wise will never speak useless words.
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Explanation
Unpleasant but useful speech is acceptable. What the wise (சான்றோர்) avoid completely is useless speech. Content matters more than pleasantness; substance matters more than style.
விளக்கம்
பயனற்ற சொற்களை விட, கசப்பான உண்மையே மேல். சான்றோர் பயனற்ற சொற்களை அறவே வெறுப்பர். பயனில்லாத பேச்சு, பயனில சொல்லாமை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, தவிர்க்கப்பட வேண்டிய தீமை. உண்மை பேசுவதே நன்மை தரும்.
Word meanings
- நயன்nayaṉpleasantness
- இலilawithout
- சொல்லினும்colliṉumeven if speaking
- சொல்லுகcollukalet speak
- சான்றோர்cāṉṟōrthe wise/virtuous
- பயன்payaṉbenefit
- சொல்லாமைcollāmainot speaking
- நன்றுnaṉṟugood
Story behind this kural
In the village of Eldoria, lived a wise elder named Silas. Known for his blunt honesty, Silas often delivered hard truths. One day, a young farmer, Thomas, proudly displayed a prize-winning pumpkin. "It's magnificent!" he boasted. Silas, examining the pumpkin, replied, "Its beauty hides a flaw. The seeds are weak; it won't yield strong offspring." Thomas, crestfallen, grumbled about the elder's unkind words. Later, a merchant, Elias, arrived, praising Thomas's pumpkin extravagantly, though he knew little of farming. He spent an hour describing its perfect shape and vibrant color. Thomas beamed, feeling pleased. The following season, Thomas's pumpkins failed. Elias's praise proved empty. Thomas, remembering Silas’s assessment, understood the elder's words, though unpleasant, held true value. He sought Silas's guidance, learning to value substance over superficial compliments.