Thirukkural 98 in English

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

Tamil original

சிறுமையுவு நீங்கிய இன்சொல் மறுமையும்
இம்மையும் இன்பம் தரும்.

Transliteration

Sirumaiyul Neengiya Insol Marumaiyum
Immaiyum Inpam Tharum

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Sweet speech, free from harm to others, will give pleasure both in this world and in the next

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Sweet kindly words, from meanness free, delight of heart,In world to come and in this world impart

Plain-English Meaning

Sweet speech, free from harm to others, will give pleasure both in this world and in the next

பிறர்க்கு மனத்துன்பம் தராத இனிய சொல் ஒருவனுக்கு இம்மையிலும் மறுமையிலும் இன்பம் தரும்.

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