Tirukkural Chapter 65 - Couplets 1,2,3 Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

திருக்குறள் -TIRUKKURAL
அதிகாரம் 65 - சொல்வன்மை
CHAPTER 65 - ON ELOQUENCE (GOOD SPEECH)
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65/01. நாநலம் என்னும் நலன்உடைமை; அந்நலம்
யாநலத்து உள்ளதூஉம் அன்று.

65/01. Naanalam ennum nalanudaimai; annalam
Yaanalaththu ulladhoom andrru.

65/01. The art of good speech is greater
Than all other virtues found in one.
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Deepak: One must speak well to make others listen.

Chandu: One must speak well,
Then the listeners will tell,
He's a very good speaker,
And appreciate him forever.

Normally a good speaker,
Cannot be a good writer;
To find both with a person
It'll be one in a million.

Mr. Johnson is a good writer,
But he's not a good speaker.
In an assembly meeting he rose,
And began to say six words.

Mr. Speaker, "I conceive, I conceive
I conceive, " thrice he said and sat.
The Speaker appreciated,
And he stood up and said:

"Mr. Johnson conceived thrice
But brought forth nothing, "
The word "conceive" is a pun
"I think" and "I'm pregnant, " just a fun.
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65/02. ஆக்கமும் கேடும் அதனால் வருதலால்
காத்தோம்பல் சொல்லின்கண் சோர்வு.

65/02. Akkamum kedum adhanaal varudhalaal
Kaaththombal sollinkann sorvu.

65/02. One may gain or lose by his words
But he should see that no harm comes from his words.
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Deepak: Like razor's edge, a man's tongue is.
So, he should talk carefully hurting no one.

Chandu: A special care must be taken,
While speaking to a person,
By using such of those words
That'll not hurt his feelings.

But some people are careless,
Often in using harsh words,
Purposely to tease a person,
If happens to be a simpleton.

"Spoken words and spilt milk
Cannot be taken back, "
This saying everyone knows
Yet, hurting words are in use.
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65/03. கேட்டார்ப் பிணிக்கும் தகையவாய்க் கேளாரும்
வேட்ப மொழிவதாம் சொல்.

65/03. Kettaarp pinnikkum thagaiyavaaik kellarum
Vetpa mozhivadhaam sol.

65/03. It is the speech that attracts listener's heart
As well as the enemy, that is considered as the best one.
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Deepak: Speaking is an art by itself,
One should practice it before a mirror daily.

Chandu: One's correct words selection,
His regulated voice modulation,
His dramatic speech delivery
All will make a listener happy.

Even his enemies listen to him
And pay respects to him
For his soft speeches
When addressing his audience.

On the other hand one's harsh words
His uncultured speeches
Roughness in his voice
They'll keep one in bitterness.
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