Kural 91Chapter 10: The Utterance of Pleasant Words

Thirukkural 91 in English

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

Tamil original

இன்சொலால் ஈரம் அளைஇப் படிறுஇலவாம்
செம்பொருள் கண்டார்வாய்ச் சொல்.

Transliteration

Insolaal Eeram Alaiip Patiruilavaam
Semporul Kantaarvaaich Chol

Modern English

“Pleasant speech is more than using polite words.”

Modern Interpretation

Pleasant speech is more than using polite words. It should come from genuine care, honesty, and the absence of hidden manipulation. For example, a friend who gives kind but truthful advice is speaking sweetly, while someone who flatters only to get a favour is not.

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Modern Plain English

Pleasant speech is more than using polite words.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

The words of Seers are lovely sweet Merciful and free from deceit

G.U. Pope Translation

Pleasant words are words with all pervading love that burn;Words from his guileless mouth who can the very truth discern

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

Sweet words are those which imbued with love and free from deceit flow from the mouth of the virtuous

Tamil commentary

அறம் அறிந்தவர் வாயிலிருந்து பிறந்து, அன்பு கலந்து உள்நோக்கம் இல்லாது வருவதே இனிய சொல்.

Chapter 10

More from The Utterance of Pleasant Words

இனியவை கூறல்

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Kural 91

The words of Seers are lovely sweet Merciful and free from deceit

Kural 92

Sweet words from smiling lips dispense More joys than heart's beneficence

Kural 93

Calm face, sweet look, kind words from heart Such is the gracious virtue's part

Kural 94

Whose loving words delight each one The woe of want from them is gone

Kural 95

To be humble and sweet words speak No other jewel do wise men seek

Kural 96

His sins vanish, his virtues grow Whose fruitful words with sweetness flow

Kural 97

The fruitful courteous kindly words Lead to goodness and graceful deeds

Kural 98

Kind words free from meanness delight This life on earth and life the next

Kural 99

Who sees the sweets of sweetness here To use harsh words how can he dare?

Kural 100

Leaving ripe fruits the raw he eats Who speaks harsh words when sweet word suits