Thirukkural 644 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
திறனறிந்து சொல்லுக சொல்லை அறனும்
பொருளும் அதனினூஉங்கு இல்.
Transliteration
Thiranarindhu Solluka Sollai Aranum
Porulum Adhaninooungu Il
Modern English
“Understand who is listening and speak in a way they can receive; this is both wise and useful.”
Modern Interpretation
Understand who is listening and speak in a way they can receive; this is both wise and useful. For example, explain a difficult idea differently to a young child, a classmate, or an expert instead of using the same words for everyone.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Understand who is listening and speak in a way they can receive; this is both wise and useful.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Weigh thy words and speak; because No wealth or virtue words surpass
G.U. Pope Translation
Speak words adapted well to various hearers' state;No higher virtue lives, no gain more surely great
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Understand the qualities (of your hearers) and (then) make your speech; for superior to it, there is neither virtue nor wealth
Tamil commentary
எவரிடம் பேசகிறோமோ அவர் குடிப்பிறப்பு, கல்வி, ஒழுக்கம், செல்வம், தோற்றம், வயது ஆகிய தகுதிகளை அறிந்து பேச்சு; அப்படிப் பேசுவதைவிட உயர்ந்த அறமும் பொருளும் வேறு இல்லை.
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