Thirukkural 95 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பணிவுடையன் இன்சொலன் ஆதல் ஒருவற்கு
அணியல்ல மற்றுப் பிற.
Transliteration
Panivutaiyan Insolan Aadhal Oruvarku
Aniyalla Matrup Pira
Modern English
“Humility and kind speech are better signs of a person's worth than expensive clothes, jewellery, or status.”
Modern Interpretation
Humility and kind speech are better signs of a person's worth than expensive clothes, jewellery, or status. They make a person pleasant to trust and work with. For example, an expert who listens patiently and explains things without showing off is more admirable than someone who uses knowledge to make others feel small.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Humility and kind speech are better signs of a person's worth than expensive clothes, jewellery, or status.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
To be humble and sweet words speak No other jewel do wise men seek
G.U. Pope Translation
Humility with pleasant speech to man on earth,Is choice adornment; all besides is nothing worth
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Humility and sweetness of speech are the ornaments of man; all others are not (ornaments)
Tamil commentary
தகுதிக்குக் குறைவானவரிடமும் பணிவுடன் இனிய சொற்களைச் சொல்பவனாக ஆவது ஒருவனுக்கு ஆபரணம் ஆகும்; பிற அணிகள் அணி ஆகா
Chapter 10
More from The Utterance of Pleasant Words
இனியவை கூறல்
The words of Seers are lovely sweet Merciful and free from deceit
Kural 92Sweet words from smiling lips dispense More joys than heart's beneficence
Kural 93Calm face, sweet look, kind words from heart Such is the gracious virtue's part
Kural 94Whose loving words delight each one The woe of want from them is gone
Kural 95To be humble and sweet words speak No other jewel do wise men seek
Kural 96His sins vanish, his virtues grow Whose fruitful words with sweetness flow
Kural 97The fruitful courteous kindly words Lead to goodness and graceful deeds
Kural 98Kind words free from meanness delight This life on earth and life the next
Kural 99Who sees the sweets of sweetness here To use harsh words how can he dare?
Kural 100Leaving ripe fruits the raw he eats Who speaks harsh words when sweet word suits