Kural #98
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Tamil text
சிறுமையுள் நீங்கிய இன்சொல்
மறுமையும் இம்மையும் இன்பம் தரும்
Ciṟumaiyuḷ nīṅkiya iṉcol
Maṟumaiyum immaiyum iṉpam tarum
English translation
Pleasant words free from meanness will bring happiness both in this life and the next.
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Explanation
Sweet speech that avoids pettiness and cruelty (சிறுமை) brings double rewards: joy in this present life (இம்மை) and merit for the afterlife (மறுமை). Thiruvalluvar connects ethical speech to spiritual benefit, showing how our words shape our destiny.
விளக்கம்
சிறுமையான வார்த்தைகளைத் தவிர்த்து இனிமையாகப் பேசினால், இந்த உலகத்திலும் மறு உலகத்திலும் மகிழ்ச்சி கிடைக்கும். இனியவை கூறல் அதிகாரத்தின்படி, நல்ல சொற்கள் நன்மையை தரும். இதுவே அறம்.
Word meanings
- சிறுமையுள்ciṟumaiyuḷfrom meanness/pettiness
- நீங்கியnīṅkiyafree from/removed
- இன்சொல்iṉcolsweet words
- மறுமையும்maṟumaiyumthe next world also
- இம்மையும்immaiyumthis world also
- இன்பம்iṉpamhappiness/joy
- தரும்tarumwill give
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two potters, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his beautiful, sturdy pots, but his sharp tongue often drove customers away. "These are too expensive!" a woman would exclaim. "Then buy from someone else!" Arun would snap. Bala, on the other hand, made pots of equal quality, yet his words were always kind. "The price is a little high, I agree," he would say gently, "but these pots will last you many years." He would offer a small discount, and the woman, charmed, would often buy not just one pot, but several. One day, a great storm ravaged the village. Arun's harsh words offered no comfort as his unsold pots were smashed to pieces. Bala, however, found his workshop bustling with customers seeking sturdy pots to replace their broken ones, his kind words echoing in the grateful smiles of the villagers, and his pots selling quickly. Even the villagers offered to help rebuild his workshop. Arun watched, alone and regretful, as Bala's kindness brought him both friends and prosperity.