Thirukkural 642 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஆக்கமுங் கேடும் அதனால் வருதலால்
காத்தோம்பல் சொல்லின்கட் சோர்வு.
Transliteration
Aakkamung Ketum Adhanaal Varudhalaal
Kaaththompal Sollinkat Sorvu
Modern English
“Words can bring success or harm, so choose them with care.”
Modern Interpretation
Words can bring success or harm, so choose them with care. For example, a thoughtful message can solve a disagreement, while a careless one can damage a friendship or opportunity.
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Modern Plain English
Words can bring success or harm, so choose them with care.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Since gain or ruin speeches bring Guard against the slips of tongue
G.U. Pope Translation
Since gain and loss in life on speech depend,From careless slip in speech thyself defend
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Since (both) wealth and evil result from (their) speech, ministers should most carefully guard themselves against faultiness therein
Tamil commentary
அவரவர் சொல் திறந்தாலேயே நன்மையும், தீமையும் வருவதால், பேசும் பேச்சில் பிழை வராமல் விழிப்புடன் பேசுக.
Chapter 65
More from Power of Speech
சொல்வன்மை
The goodness called goodness of speech Is goodness which nothing can reach
Kural 642Since gain or ruin speeches bring Guard against the slips of tongue
Kural 643A speech is speech that holds ears And attracts ev'n those that are averse
Kural 644Weigh thy words and speak; because No wealth or virtue words surpass
Kural 645Speak out thy world so that no word Can win it and say untoward
Kural 646Spotless men speak what is sweet And grasp in others what is meet
Kural 647No foe defies the speaker clear Flawless, puissant, and free from fear
Kural 648The world will quickly carry out The words of counsellors astute
Kural 649They overspeak who do not seek A few and flawless words to speak
Kural 650Who can't express what they have learnt Are bunch of flowers not fragrant