Not Speaking Useless Words
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solluka solliṉ payaṉuṭaiya sollaṟka / solliṉ payaṉilās sol
“If speak you will, speak words that fruit afford, / If speak you will, speak never fruitless word.”
“Speak thou the speech that bringeth forth profit: but speak not ever words that are profitless and vain.”
Of all words spoken, utter only those that bear genuine fruit; never speak words devoid of benefit.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
சொல்லின் பயன் உடைய சொல்லுக = சொற்களில் பயன் உடைய சொற்களைச் சொல்லுக; சொல்லின் பயன் இலாச் சொல் சொல்லற்க = சொற்களில் பயன் இல்லாத சொற்களைச் சொல்லற்க.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Of all words spoken, utter only those that bear genuine fruit; never speak words devoid of benefit. The supreme test of speech is its practical and ethical utility.
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