Thirukkural 96 in English

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

Tamil original

அல்லவை தேய அறம்பெருகும் நல்லவை
நாடி இனிய சொலின்

Transliteration

Allavai Theya Aramperukum Nallavai
Naati Iniya Solin

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

If a man, while seeking to speak usefully, speaks also sweetly, his sins will diminish and his virtue increase

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Who seeks out good, words from his lips of sweetness flow;In him the power of vice declines, and virtues grow

Plain-English Meaning

If a man, while seeking to speak usefully, speaks also sweetly, his sins will diminish and his virtue increase

பிறர்க்கு நன்மை தரும் இனிய சொற்களை மனத்தால் எண்ணிச் சொன்னால், அவனுள்ளும், நாட்டிலும் அறம் வளரும்; பாவங்கள் குறையும்.

Chapter 10

இனியவை கூறல்

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

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

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

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

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

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

The fruitful courteous kindly words Lead to goodness and graceful deeds

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

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

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