Thirukkural 649 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

பலசொல்லக் காமுறுவர் மன்றமா சற்ற
சிலசொல்லல் தேற்றா தவர்.

Transliteration

Palasollak Kaamuruvar Mandramaa Satra
Silasollal Thetraa Thavar

English Translation

“They overspeak who do not seek A few and flawless words to speak”

Plain-English meaning

They will desire to utter many words, who do not know how to speak a few faultless ones

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

They overspeak who do not seek A few and flawless words to speak

G.U. Pope Translation

Who have not skill ten faultless words to utter plain,Their tongues will itch with thousand words man's ears to pain

Plain-English Meaning

They will desire to utter many words, who do not know how to speak a few faultless ones

குற்றமற்ற சில சொற்களால் சொல்லும் ஆற்றல் இல்லாதவர், பலபல சொற்களைப் பேச விரும்புவர்.

Chapter 65

சொல்வன்மை

The goodness called goodness of speech Is goodness which nothing can reach

Since gain or ruin speeches bring Guard against the slips of tongue

A speech is speech that holds ears And attracts ev'n those that are averse

Weigh thy words and speak; because No wealth or virtue words surpass

Speak out thy world so that no word Can win it and say untoward

Spotless men speak what is sweet And grasp in others what is meet

No foe defies the speaker clear Flawless, puissant, and free from fear

The world will quickly carry out The words of counsellors astute

They overspeak who do not seek A few and flawless words to speak

Who can't express what they have learnt Are bunch of flowers not fragrant