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பயனில சொல்லாமை: Against Vain Speaking
About this chapter
பயனில சொல்லாமை, against vain speaking, continues the teaching on speech with a simple test: words should be useful (பயன், fruit or benefit). Idle, pointless talk is treated as a real fault, not a harmless habit.
Kural 191 says that anyone who chatters uselessly, to the annoyance of many, is despised by all. Kural 192 goes further and calls useless talk before a crowd worse than unkind acts towards friends. Kurals 193 and 194 explain the harm: such talk shows a man to be without virtue and separates him from what is good. Kural 195 says even the eminent lose their standing when they speak vainly, and Kural 196 gives the harshest verdict, that one who parades idle words should not be called a man but the chaff of men (மக்கட் பதடி). Kural 197 sets a small concession, that the wise may speak without charm if they must, but never without use. Kurals 198 and 199 describe the wise as those who weigh their words and will not speak emptily, even by slip. Kural 200 closes with a rule short enough to carry anywhere: speak what is useful, and never speak what is not.
Kural 200 is the one to know, since it sums up the chapter and is easy to apply. Kural 196 has the most memorable image.
For the syllabus, it belongs with Chapters 10 and 19 on kindly and slanderous speech, under universal values and everyday life.
The 10 kurals of பயனில சொல்லாமை
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
பல்லார் முனியப் பயனில சொல்லுவான்
எல்லாரும் எள்ளப் படும்.
Pallaar Muniyap Payanila Solluvaan
Ellaarum Ellap Patum
Words without sense, while chafe the wise, Who babbles, him will all despise
பயனில பல்லார்முன் சொல்லல் நயனில
நட்டார்கண் செய்தலிற் றீது.
Payanila Pallaarmun Sollal Nayanila
Nattaarkan Seydhalir Reedhu
Words without sense, where many wise men hear, to pourThan deeds to friends ungracious done offendeth more
நயனிலன் என்பது சொல்லும் பயனில
பாரித் துரைக்கும் உரை.
Nayanilan Enpadhu Sollum Payanila
Paarith Thuraikkum Urai
Diffusive speech of useless words proclaimsA man who never righteous wisdom gains
நயன்சாரா நன்மையின் நீக்கும் பயன்சாராப்
பண்பில்சொல் பல்லா ரகத்து.
Nayansaaraa Nanmaiyin Neekkum Payansaaraap
Panpilsol Pallaa Rakaththu
Unmeaning, worthless words, said to the multitude, To none delight afford, and sever men from good
சீர்மை சிறப்பொடு நீங்கும் பயனில
நீர்மை யுடையார் சொலின்.
Seermai Sirappotu Neengum Payanila
Neermai Yutaiyaar Solin
Gone are both fame and boasted excellence, When men of worth speak of words devoid of sense
பயனில்சொல் பாராட்டு வானை மகன்எனல்
மக்கட் பதடி யெனல்.
Payanil Sol Paaraattu Vaanai
Makanenal Makkat Padhati Yenal
Who makes display of idle words' inanity, Call him not man, -chaff of humanity
நயனில சொல்லினுஞ் சொல்லுக சான்றோர்
பயனில சொல்லாமை நன்று.
Nayanila Sollinunj Cholluka Saandror
Payanila Sollaamai Nandru
Let those who list speak things that no delight afford,'Tis good for men of worth to speak no idle word
அரும்பயன் ஆயும் அறிவினார் சொல்லார்
பெரும்பயன் இல்லாத சொல்.
Arumpayan Aayum Arivinaar Sollaar
Perumpayan Illaadha Sol
The wise who weigh the worth of every utterance, Speak none but words of deep significance
பொருள்தீர்ந்த பொச்சாந்துஞ் சொல்லார் மருள்தீர்ந்த
மாசறு காட்சி யவர்.
Poruldheerndha Pochchaandhunj Chollaar Maruldheerndha
Maasaru Kaatchi Yavar
The men of vision pure, from wildering folly free, Not e'en in thoughtless hour, speak words of vanity
சொல்லுக சொல்லிற் பயனுடைய சொல்லற்க
சொல்லிற் பயனிலாச் சொல்.
Solluka Sollir Payanutaiya Sollarka
Sollir Payanilaach Chol
If speak you will, speak words that fruit afford, If speak you will, speak never fruitless word
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