Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 20 : The Not Speaking Profitless Words
 

Introductory Note

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”
- Plato, ancient Greek philosopher, one of world's most influential philosopher, (428 -348 BC)

Translation(s)

While words without sense chafe the wise, one who babbles them will be despised by all.

 

Translation(s)

To pour words without sense where many wise men hear, offends more than do the ungracious deeds done to friends.

 

Translation(s)

Diffusive speech of useless words proclaims a man who never gains righteous wisdom.

Explanation

Such a man will never gain wisdom.

Translation(s)

Unmeaning, worthless words, said to a multitude (of people) do not afford delight to any one and sever men (the speakers) from good.

Explanation

Naladiyar, a later Tamil composition, expands this as under:

“Lord of the pleasant land, where down the mountains cool
The steams as garlands fall! with fools no lowers hold.
The fool will speak ill words that hurt. As best you can
To slip away from him is good.”
- Naladiyar, 31

Translation(s)

When men of worth speak words devoid of sense, both fame and boasted excellence go away.

Explanation

[What does boasted excellence mean?]

Translation(s)

One who makes display of idle word’s inanity (vacuous words), call him not man but chaff of humanity.

Explanation

Thiru-valluvar is very sharp or blunt - when he comes down on people who speak idle words.Boasting means to talk vaingloriously. [11] It is form of speaking in vain. It arises from pride and aims to over-impress others. Here is what The Holy Quran suggests:

Translation(s)

Men of virtue may sometimes speak unfairly; it were better, that they do not talk uselessly.

Explanation

Thiru-valluvar says that occasionally speaking unfair or unpleasant thing is forgivable in men of virtue but they should never indulge in idle talking. "Turn not thy cheek in scorn toward folk, nor walk with pertness in the land. Lo! Allah loveth not each braggart boaster." - Prophet Muhammad (saw), Luqman 31.18, The Quran. [7]

"Those who avoid enormities of sin and abominations, save the unwilled offences - (for them) lo! thy Lord is of vast mercy. He is best aware of you (from the time) when He created you from the earth, and when ye were hidden in the bellies of your mothers. Therefor ascribe not purity unto yourselves. He is best aware of him who wardeth off (evil)." - Prophet Muhammad (saw), An-Najm 53.32, The Quran. [7]

Translation(s)

“The wise, who weigh the worth of every utterance,
Speak none but words of deep significance.”
 – Translation by Rev. G. U. Pope

 

Translation(s)

Men of pure vision, who are free from wildering folly, do not speak words of vanity even in thoughtless hour.

 

Translation(s)

If you will speak, speak words that give fruit. If you will speak, never speak fruitless word.

Explanation

Jesus Christ asked his followers not to swear while conversing. By swearing he means assuring or promising thing which you do not intend to do. It is similar to either “sweet nothing” of the above Kural, or “idle nonsense” of Kural 196, or “useless blabber” of Kural 193; which is to be avoided. Here are his words:

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."– Jesus Christ, Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5.33 – 5.37 [3]

Vain: Empty, devoid (obsolete): without real worth: futile: unavailing: thoughtless: empty minded: pettily self-complacent: valuing oneself inordinately on some trivial personal distinction: conceited. [11]Abstaining from idle chatter (sweet nothings) in one of the four qualifies of Right Speech in Buddhism. Thus said Buddha in the 3rd amongst his Noble Eight Fold Path:

“And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, abstaining from divisive speech, abstaining from abusive speech, abstaining from idle chatter: This, monks, is right speech.”[13].

I think Buddha has listed the four qualities in order of their importance – so idle chatter is smallest of the four problems.

Summary Note

Vain words are to be avoided not only in assembly but also everywhere and not only vain words but also vain actions, so says The Quran:

"Successful indeed are the believers who are humble in their prayers, and who shun vain conversation,... " - Prophet Muhammad (saw), Al-Mumenoon 23.1 to 23.3, The Quran [7].

"And when they hear vanity they withdraw from it and say: Unto us our works and unto you your works. Peace be unto you! We desire not the ignorant." - Prophet Muhammad (saw), Al-Qasas 28.55, The Quran

"The (faithful) slaves of the Beneficent are they who, ...And those who will not witness vanity, but when they pass near senseless play, pass by with dignity." - Prophet Muhammad (saw), Al-Furqan 25.61 to 25.72, The Quran Insert from 23/3, 28/55 of The Holy Quran] [Also insert 25/72]

View from West,
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari, India
Credit: Sky hawk, Flickr

References