Thirukkural 99 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இன்சொல் இனிதீன்றல் காண்பான் எவன்கொலோ
வன்சொல் வழங்கு வது?
Transliteration
Insol Inidheendral Kaanpaan Evankolo
Vansol Vazhangu Vadhu?
Modern English
“If we know how comforting kind words can be, there is no good reason to choose cruel ones.”
Modern Interpretation
If we know how comforting kind words can be, there is no good reason to choose cruel ones. Harsh speech usually adds pain without solving the problem. For example, a parent who notices a child struggling can ask what happened instead of calling the child lazy; the gentler approach is more likely to lead to improvement.
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Modern Plain English
If we know how comforting kind words can be, there is no good reason to choose cruel ones.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who sees the sweets of sweetness here To use harsh words how can he dare?
G.U. Pope Translation
Who sees the pleasure kindly speech affords,Why makes he use of harsh, repellant words
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Why does he use harsh words, who sees the pleasure which sweet speech yields ?
Tamil commentary
பிறர் சொல்லும் இனிய சொற்கள், இன்பம் தருவதை உணர்ந்தவன், பிறர்க்கும் தனக்கும் துன்பம் தரும் கடும் சொற்களைப் பேசுவது என்ன பயன் கருதியோ?
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