Kural #644
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
திறனறிந்து சொல்லுக சொல்லை
அறனும் பொருளும் அதனினூஉங்கு இல்
Tiṟaṉaṟintu colluka collai
Aṟaṉum poruḷum ataṉiṉūuṅku il
English translation
Speak knowing the proper manner; there is nothing greater than that for achieving virtue and wealth.
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Explanation
Speaking skillfully (திறன் அறிந்து) brings both அறன் (virtue) and பொருள் (wealth). This connects eloquence directly to the first two goals of life in Tamil philosophy.
விளக்கம்
சொல்வன்மை அதிகாரத்தில், திருவள்ளுவர் ஒரு கருத்தைச் சொல்கிறார். எப்படிப் பேச வேண்டும் என்று தெரிந்து பேசினால், அறமும் பொருளும் கிடைக்கும். நல்ல பேச்சுக்கு மேலான செல்வம் வேறில்லை.
Word meanings
- திறன்tiṟaṉskill/manner
- அறிந்துaṟintuknowing
- சொல்லுகcollukaspeak
- சொல்லைcollaiwords
- அறன்aṟaṉvirtue
- பொருள்poruḷwealth
- அதனின்ataṉiṉthan that
- ஊங்குūṅkugreater
- இல்ilthere is not
Story behind this kural
In a bustling village lived two merchants, Arun and Bala. Both sold spices, but Arun's shop often sat empty. Bala, however, always had a crowd. Arun, envious, observed Bala. He noticed Bala greeted each customer with a warm smile, asking about their families and needs before describing his spices. He spoke of their origins, their flavors, and how they would enhance a meal. Arun, on the other hand, simply listed prices, his voice gruff. One day, a traveling sage stopped at Arun's shop. Arun, desperate, began a sales pitch, but his words were harsh and uninviting. The sage, instead, walked to Bala's stall. Bala, with a gentle tone, offered the sage a taste of cardamom, describing its health benefits and its ability to calm the mind. The sage purchased a large bag, smiling. Arun watched, understanding dawned. He realized it wasn't just the spices, but the way Bala spoke about them, with kindness and knowledge, that brought him both customers and respect.