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
Modern English
“People who cannot express a clear idea in a few accurate words often hide that weakness by talking too much.”
Modern Interpretation
People who cannot express a clear idea in a few accurate words often hide that weakness by talking too much. For example, a speaker who has not decided what they mean may repeat long explanations instead of giving a direct answer.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
People who cannot express a clear idea in a few accurate words often hide that weakness by talking too much.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
They will desire to utter many words, who do not know how to speak a few faultless ones
Tamil commentary
குற்றமற்ற சில சொற்களால் சொல்லும் ஆற்றல் இல்லாதவர், பலபல சொற்களைப் பேச விரும்புவர்.
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