Kural #200
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
சொல்லுக சொல்லிற் பயனுடைய
சொல்லற்க சொல்லிற் பயனிலாச் சொல்
Colluka colliṟ payaṉuṭaiya
Collaṟka colliṟ payaṉilāc col
English translation
Speak words that are useful among words; speak not words that are useless among words.
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Explanation
The chapter closes with a simple, direct instruction: speak what is useful, don't speak what is useless. This summary captures the entire teaching in one memorable couplet.
விளக்கம்
பயனுள்ள சொற்களையே பேசுக; பயனற்ற சொற்களை பேசாதே. இது பயனில சொல்லாமை அதிகாரத்தின் கருத்து. நல்ல சொற்கள் நன்மை தரும்; தீய சொற்கள் தீமை தரும். ஆகையால், சிந்தித்து பேசு.
Word meanings
- சொல்லுகcollukaspeak
- சொல்லில்collilamong words
- பயன்payaṉbenefit
- உடையuṭaiyahaving
- சொல்லற்கcollaṟkaspeak not
- பயன்payaṉbenefit
- இலாilāwithout
- சொல்colwords
Story behind this kural
The village of Eldoria buzzed with gossip. Old Man Hemlock, known for his endless chatter, cornered young Elara. "Did you hear?" he whispered, "The baker's cat coughed up a hairball shaped like a tiny crown!" Elara, on her way to fetch water, politely nodded and hurried off. Later, she saw the village elder struggling to repair a broken well. He needed strong rope. Remembering a merchant who traded in rope, Elara rushed to him, "The well needs fixing! The elder needs rope!" The merchant, impressed by her directness, immediately offered his strongest rope, which was put to good use. Meanwhile, Hemlock was still sharing the baker's cat story with anyone who would listen. The villagers, however, had long since lost interest. They were too busy working, helping each other, or simply enjoying the sunset.