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
Modern English
“When we speak about what is good in a kind and useful way, harmful behaviour can decrease and good conduct can grow.”
Modern Interpretation
When we speak about what is good in a kind and useful way, harmful behaviour can decrease and good conduct can grow. Advice is more likely to change people when it preserves their dignity. For example, a coach who explains a player's mistake calmly may help them improve, while public humiliation may only create resentment.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
When we speak about what is good in a kind and useful way, harmful behaviour can decrease and good conduct can grow.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
If a man, while seeking to speak usefully, speaks also sweetly, his sins will diminish and his virtue increase
Tamil commentary
பிறர்க்கு நன்மை தரும் இனிய சொற்களை மனத்தால் எண்ணிச் சொன்னால், அவனுள்ளும், நாட்டிலும் அறம் வளரும்; பாவங்கள் குறையும்.
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