Kural #711
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
அவையறிந்து ஆராய்ந்து சொல்லுக
சொல்லின் தொகையறிந்த தூய்மை யவர்
Avaiyaṟintu ārāyntu colluka
Colliṉ tokaiyaṟinta tūymai yavar
English translation
Those of pure speech who know the range of words should speak after knowing the assembly and examining carefully.
Listen
Explanation
Speakers of pure wisdom (சொல்லின் தொகை அறிந்த தூய்மையவர்) must first know their audience (அவை அறிந்து) and examine the situation (ஆராய்ந்து) before speaking. Context determines eloquence.
விளக்கம்
அவையறிதல் அதிகாரத்தில், ஒரு சபையின் தன்மை அறிந்து பேசணும். சொல்லின் ஆழம் அறிந்தவர், சூழ்நிலை உணர்ந்து, ஆராய்ந்து பேசினால் சிறப்பு. இது நல்ல பேச்சாளரின் பண்பு.
Word meanings
- அவைavaiassembly
- அறிந்துaṟintuknowing
- ஆராய்ந்துārāyntuexamining
- சொல்லுகcollukaspeak
- சொல்லின்colliṉof words
- தொகைtokaicollection/range
- தூய்மைtūymaipurity
- அவர்avarthose
Story behind this kural
In a bustling marketplace, a traveling merchant, known for his booming voice, began to hawk his wares. He boasted of silks finer than a king's robes and spices that could make the dullest meal a feast. A small crowd gathered, mostly humble farmers. An elderly woman approached, examining a bolt of crimson silk. "Kind sir," she said, her voice soft, "would this be suitable for a simple shawl to keep the winter chill away?" The merchant, caught up in his grand pronouncements, scoffed. "Such delicate fabric for a mere shawl? It's fit for a queen, not a farmer!" He then turned to a group of richly dressed nobles and began to describe the silk's luxurious qualities and exorbitant price. The nobles, impressed, eagerly purchased several bolts. The woman quietly walked away, empty-handed. Later, the merchant noticed the woman purchasing a plain, sturdy shawl from a quieter vendor. He realized he had lost a sale by failing to understand his audience.