Thirukkural 199 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பொருள்தீர்ந்த பொச்சாந்துஞ் சொல்லார் மருள்தீர்ந்த
மாசறு காட்சி யவர்.
Transliteration
Poruldheerndha Pochchaandhunj Chollaar Maruldheerndha
Maasaru Kaatchi Yavar
Modern English
“People with a clear, unclouded mind are careful enough that they don't let pointless words slip out even by accident, because they've built the habit of thinking before speaking.”
Modern Interpretation
People with a clear, unclouded mind are careful enough that they don't let pointless words slip out even by accident, because they've built the habit of thinking before speaking. For example, someone who's practiced being intentional with their words rarely catches themselves rambling, even when they're caught off guard in conversation.
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Modern Plain English
People with a clear, unclouded mind are careful enough that they don't let pointless words slip out even by accident, because they've built the habit of thinking before speaking.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The wise of spotless self-vision Slip not to silly words-mention
G.U. Pope Translation
The men of vision pure, from wildering folly free,Not e'en in thoughtless hour, speak words of vanity
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those wise men who are without faults and are freed from ignorance will not even forgetfully speak things that profit not
Tamil commentary
மயக்கமற்ற தூய அறிவினை உடையவர், பொருளற்ற சொற்களை மறந்தும் சொல்லார்.
Chapter 20
More from Against Vain Speaking
பயனில சொல்லாமை
With silly words who insults all Is held in contempt as banal
Kural 192Vain talk before many is worse Than doing to friends deeds adverse
Kural 193The babbler's hasty lips proclaim That \"good-for-nothing\" is his name
Kural 194Vain words before an assembly Will make all gains and goodness flee
Kural 195Glory and grace will go away When savants silly nonsense say
Kural 196Call him a human chaff who prides Himself in weightless idle words
Kural 197Let not men of worth vainly quack Even if they would roughly speak
Kural 198The wise who weigh the worth refrain From words that have no grain and brain
Kural 199The wise of spotless self-vision Slip not to silly words-mention
Kural 200To purpose speak the fruitful word And never indulge in useless load