Thirukkural 200 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
சொல்லுக சொல்லிற் பயனுடைய சொல்லற்க
சொல்லிற் பயனிலாச் சொல்.
Transliteration
Solluka Sollir Payanutaiya Sollarka
Sollir Payanilaach Chol
Modern English
“The simplest rule for speaking well is this: say what's genuinely useful, and leave out whatever doesn't need to be said at all.”
Modern Interpretation
The simplest rule for speaking well is this: say what's genuinely useful, and leave out whatever doesn't need to be said at all. It sounds obvious, but it takes real discipline to follow. For example, texting a friend a short, clear message about when and where to meet is more useful than a long ramble that buries the actual point.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
The simplest rule for speaking well is this: say what's genuinely useful, and leave out whatever doesn't need to be said at all.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
To purpose speak the fruitful word And never indulge in useless load
G.U. Pope Translation
If speak you will, speak words that fruit afford,If speak you will, speak never fruitless word
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Speak what is useful, and speak not useless words
Tamil commentary
சொற்களில் அறம், பொருள், இன்பம் ஆகிய பயன்தரும் சொற்களையே சொல்லுக; பயனற்ற சொற்களைச் சொல்லவேண்டா.
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