Kural #91
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Tamil text
இன்சொலால் ஈரம் அளைஇப் படிறுஇலவாம்
செம்பொருள் கண்டார்வாய்ச் சொல்
Iṉcolāl īram aḷaiip paṭiṟuilavām
Cemporuḷ kaṇṭārvāyc col
English translation
The words of those who have realized the true nature of things are sweet, mingled with kindness, and free from deceit.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar describes ideal speech: it should be pleasant (இன்சொல்), compassionate (ஈரம்), and truthful (படிறு இல). Those who have understood the essence of life speak with all three qualities. This kural sets the standard for noble communication.
விளக்கம்
இக்குறள் இனியவை கூறல் அதிகாரத்தில் உள்ளது. உண்மை உணர்ந்த பெரியோர் பேசும் வார்த்தைகள் இனிமையாகவும், கருணையுடனும், பொய்யில்லாமலும் இருக்கும். அவர்களின் பேச்சு பிறருக்கு நன்மை பயக்கும்; அதுவே சிறந்த அறம்.
Word meanings
- இன்சொல்iṉcolsweet/pleasant words
- ஈரம்īramkindness/compassion/tenderness
- அளைஇaḷaiimixed with/mingled
- படிறுpaṭiṟudeceit/falsehood
- இலவாம்ilavāmwithout/free from
- செம்பொருள்cemporuḷtrue meaning/essence
- கண்டார்kaṇṭārthose who have seen/realized
- வாய்vāymouth
- சொல்colwords/speech
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his harsh words and blunt manner, often found his crops failing. Bala, however, always spoke kindly, even when facing hardship. One season, a terrible drought struck. Arun’s well ran dry, and his plants withered. He stormed to Bala, demanding water, his voice sharp with anger. Bala, though his own crops suffered, replied gently, “The well is low, friend, but I will share what I have. Let us work together to find more.” Arun grumbled but accepted. Bala’s words, though offering little water, eased Arun’s heart. They worked side-by-side, finding a new spring. Soon, both their fields began to recover. Arun realized the bitterness of his words had only brought him hardship. Bala’s kindness, however, had yielded a harvest far greater than water alone.