Not Speaking Useless Words
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nayaṉila solliṉum solluka sāṉṟōr / payaṉila sollāmai naṉṟu
Even if the wise, under circumstance, speak harsh or unpleasing words, that can be borne; but it is far better that they completely refrain from useless, empty words.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Let those who list speak things that no delight afford, / 'Tis good for men of worth to speak no idle word.”
“Let the wise, if they deem it meet, speak even hard words: but it is good for them to desist from profitless speech.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
நயன் இல சான்றோர் சொல்லினும் சொல்லுக = நீதியொடு படாத சொற்களைச் சான்றோர் சொன்னார் ஆயினும் அஃது அமையும்; பயன் இல சொல்லாமை நன்று = அவர் பயன் இலவற்றைச் சொல்லாமை பெறின், அது நன்று.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Even if the wise, under circumstance, speak harsh or unpleasing words, that can be borne; but it is far better that they completely refrain from useless, empty words.