PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அமைச்சியல்
சொல்வன்மை: Power of Speech
About this chapter
சொல்வன்மை, the power of speech, is about speaking well: with the right words, for the right listeners, at the right time. Though it appears among the chapters on ministers, it applies to anyone who has to explain or persuade.
Kural 641 calls the goodness of speech a quality unlike any other, and Kural 642 says that since gain and loss both come through speech, one should guard against slips. Kural 643 describes speech that holds those who hear it, and makes even those who have not heard it want to. Kural 644 gives the chapter's central advice: understand the listeners before speaking, for nothing surpasses this in virtue or in gain. Kural 645 advises speaking only after making sure no one can refute what one says. Kural 646 adds the skill of speaking so that listeners want more while grasping the meaning of what others say. Kural 647 says that one who is skilled in speech, careful and fearless is hard to defeat in debate, and Kural 648 that the world quickly listens to those who speak in order and pleasantly. Kural 649 observes that people who cannot say a few faultless words want to speak many. Kural 650 ends with the image of a scentless flower: those who cannot explain what they have learned are like it.
Kural 644 and Kural 650 are the two to remember.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits everyday life and public administration, where explaining clearly matters.
The 10 kurals of சொல்வன்மை
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.
நாநலம் என்னும் நலனுடைமை அந்நலம்
யாநலத்து உள்ளதூஉம் அன்று.
Naanalam Ennum Nalanutaimai Annalam
Yaanalaththu Ulladhooum Andru
A tongue that rightly speaks the right is greatest gain, It stands alone midst goodly things that men obtain
ஆக்கமுங் கேடும் அதனால் வருதலால்
காத்தோம்பல் சொல்லின்கட் சோர்வு.
Aakkamung Ketum Adhanaal Varudhalaal
Kaaththompal Sollinkat Sorvu
Since gain and loss in life on speech depend, From careless slip in speech thyself defend
கேட்டார்ப் பிணிக்கும் தகையவாய்க் கேளாரும்
வேட்ப மொழிவதாம் சொல்.
Kettaarp Pinikkum Thakaiyavaaik Kelaarum
Vetpa Mozhivadhaam Sol
'Tis speech that spell-bound holds the listening ear, While those who have not heard desire to hear
திறனறிந்து சொல்லுக சொல்லை அறனும்
பொருளும் அதனினூஉங்கு இல்.
Thiranarindhu Solluka Sollai Aranum
Porulum Adhaninooungu Il
Speak words adapted well to various hearers' state; No higher virtue lives, no gain more surely great
சொல்லுக சொல்லைப் பிறிதோர்சொல் அச்சொல்லை
வெல்லுஞ்சொல் இன்மை அறிந்து.
Solluka Sollaip Piridhorsol Achchollai
Vellunjol Inmai Arindhu
Speak out your speech, when once 'tis past disputeThat none can utter speech that shall your speech refute
வேட்பத்தாஞ் சொல்லிப் பிறர்சொல் பயன்கோடல்
மாட்சியின் மாசற்றார் கோள்.
Vetpaththaanj Chollip Pirarsol Payankotal
Maatchiyin Maasatraar Kol
Charming each hearer's ear, of others' words to seize the sense, Is method wise of men of spotless excellence
சொலல்வல்லன் சோர்விலன் அஞ்சான் அவனை
இகல்வெல்லல் யார்க்கும் அரிது.
Solalvallan Sorvilan Anjaan Avanai
Ikalvellal Yaarkkum Aridhu
Mighty in word, of unforgetful mind, of fearless speech,'Tis hard for hostile power such man to overreach
விரைந்து தொழில்கேட்கும் ஞாலம் நிரந்தினிது
சொல்லுதல் வல்லார்ப் பெறின்.
Viraindhu Thozhilketkum Gnaalam Nirandhinidhu
Solludhal Vallaarp Perin
Swiftly the listening world will gather round, When men of mighty speech the weighty theme propound
பலசொல்லக் காமுறுவர் மன்றமா சற்ற
சிலசொல்லல் தேற்றா தவர்.
Palasollak Kaamuruvar Mandramaa Satra
Silasollal Thetraa Thavar
Who have not skill ten faultless words to utter plain, Their tongues will itch with thousand words man's ears to pain
இணருழ்த்தும் நாறா மலரனையர் கற்றது
உணர விரித்துரையா தார்.
Inaruzhththum Naaraa Malaranaiyar Katradhu
Unara Viriththuraiyaa Thaar
Like scentless flower in blooming garland boundAre men who can't their lore acquired to other's ears expound
How Thirukkural is asked in TNPSC exams
Find your weak TNPSC units before the exam does
Take a free TNPSC assessment on PrepMatic. It shows where you stand across General Tamil, General Studies and Aptitude, then builds a day-by-day study plan and mock tests focused on your weak subjects.
Start free assessment →Free forever plan · No credit card · 2-minute setup