Kural #99
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Tamil text
இன்சொல் இனிதீன்றல் காண்பான்
எவன்கொலோ வன்சொல் வழங்கு வது
Iṉcol iṉitīṉṟal kāṇpāṉ
Evaṉkolō vaṉcol vaḻaṅku vatu
English translation
Why would anyone use harsh words when they can see the sweet fruit that pleasant words produce?
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar poses a rhetorical question: since sweet words clearly yield sweet results, why would anyone choose harsh speech (வன்சொல்)? This kural challenges us to observe the consequences of our words and make wise choices. It's a call to awareness.
விளக்கம்
இனிய சொற்கள் நல்ல பலன் தரும்போது, ஏன் கடுஞ்சொற்களைப் பேச வேண்டும்? இனியவை கூறல் அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம். கடுஞ்சொல் துன்பம் தரும், இன்சொல் நன்மை தரும் என்பதை உணர வேண்டும். நல்ல சொற்களைப் பேசுவதே அறம்.
Word meanings
- இன்சொல்iṉcolsweet words
- இனிதுiṉitusweetness/pleasantness
- ஈன்றல்īṉṟalproducing/yielding
- காண்பான்kāṇpāṉone who sees
- எவன்கொலோevaṉkolōwhy indeed? (rhetorical)
- வன்சொல்vaṉcolharsh words
- வழங்குவதுvaḻaṅkuvatuusing/giving
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun was known for his booming voice and sharp tongue. He'd bark orders and complain about everything. Bala, however, spoke softly and offered kind words, even when faced with hardship. One season, the rains failed, and the crops began to wither. Arun stormed through the village, blaming the gods and his neighbors. His fields remained barren, and his well ran dry. The villagers avoided him, their faces etched with worry. Bala, however, calmly rallied the community. He spoke of resilience, organizing a shared irrigation system. He offered encouragement, and the villagers worked together. Despite the drought, Bala's fields yielded a modest harvest, and the villagers supported each other. As the sun set, casting long shadows, Arun watched Bala share his meager harvest with the others. He finally understood why his own words had brought him nothing but isolation.