Kural #642
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Tamil text
ஆக்கமும் கேடும் அதனால் வருதலால்
காத்தோம்பல் சொல்லின்கண் சோர்வு
Ākkamum kēṭum ataṉāl varutalāl
Kāttōmpal colliṉkaṇ cōrvu
English translation
Since both prosperity and ruin come from speech, guard against carelessness in speaking.
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Explanation
Words have tremendous power - they can create (ஆக்கம்) or destroy (கேடு). Therefore, one must be vigilant (காத்தோம்பல்) and never be careless (சோர்வு) with speech.
விளக்கம்
சொல்லால் நன்மையும் தீமையும் உண்டாகும். ஆதலால், பேசும்போது கவனமாக இருக்க வேண்டும். சொல்வன்மை அதிகாரத்தின்படி, சொற்களைக் காத்து, சோம்பல் இல்லாமல் பேசினால் வெற்றி நிச்சயம்.
Word meanings
- ஆக்கம்ākkamprosperity/creation
- கேடுkēṭuruin/destruction
- அதனால்ataṉālfrom that/by speech
- வருதலால்varutalālsince they come
- காத்துkāttuguarding
- ஓம்பல்ōmpalprotecting
- சொல்லின்கண்colliṉkaṇin speech
- சோர்வுcōrvucarelessness/negligence
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a potter named Kumar. Kumar was known for his beautiful clay pots, but also for his sharp tongue. One day, a wealthy merchant, impressed by Kumar's work, offered him a large sum for a set of pots. Kumar, in his excitement, boasted loudly about the deal, insulting a rival potter in the process. The rival, stung by Kumar's words, spread rumors about the merchant's character. Fearing dishonesty, the merchant withdrew his offer. Kumar, furious, then lashed out at the villagers, blaming them for the lost opportunity. Soon, no one wanted to buy his pots. His workshop, once filled with the cheerful clinking of clay, fell silent. Kumar, once prosperous, was now alone, his words having built a wall around him, leaving him with nothing but regret. The river continued its journey, indifferent to the rise and fall of fortunes, a silent witness to the consequences of a careless tongue.