Kural #645
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Tamil text
சொல்லுக சொல்லைப் பிறிதோர்சொல்
அச்சொல்லை வெல்லுஞ்சொல் இன்மை அறிந்து
Colluka collaip piṟitōrcol
Accolai velluñcol iṉmai aṟintu
English translation
Speak words knowing that no other word can defeat those words.
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Explanation
Choose your words so carefully that they become unassailable. A truly eloquent speaker anticipates all counter-arguments (வெல்லும் சொல் இன்மை) and crafts invincible statements.
விளக்கம்
சொல்வன்மை அதிகாரத்தில் வரும் இக்குறள், பேசும் திறனைப் பற்றிக் கூறுகிறது. ஒரு சொல்லைச் சொல்லும் முன், அதை வெல்ல வேறு சொல் இல்லை என்று உணர்ந்து பேச வேண்டும். அப்படிப் பேசினால், நம் சொற்கள் வலிமை பெறும்; யாரும் மறுக்க முடியாது.
Word meanings
- சொல்லுகcollukaspeak
- சொல்லைcollaithe word
- பிறிதுpiṟituanother
- ஓர்ōrone
- அச்சொல்லைaccolaithat word
- வெல்லும்vellumdefeating
- இன்மைiṉmaiabsence
- அறிந்துaṟintuknowing
Story behind this kural
In a bustling marketplace, a merchant named Thulasi boasted of his silks, claiming they were woven by angels. A rival merchant, Kumar, scoffed, retorting that his own fabrics were blessed by the sun god himself. A crowd gathered, eager for a verbal duel. Kumar, fueled by pride, spoke of vibrant dyes and intricate patterns, his words like a flowing river. Thulasi, flustered, stammered about rarity and heavenly touch, his voice barely a trickle. Kumar's words, however, held no real substance, only empty grandeur. Then, a wise old weaver, observing from the edge of the crowd, stepped forward. He simply held up a bolt of his own cloth. Its texture was soft, the colors subtle, the weave flawless. He said nothing more. The crowd, silenced by the quiet perfection, immediately understood. Kumar’s boastful words faded as they admired the weaver's work. The finest words are those that need no further defense.