Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 65 : Power in Speech
 

Introductory Note

This chapter amplifies verses 633 to 635.

Translation(s)

A tongue that rightly speaks the right is greatest gain, it stands alone amidst goodly things that men obtain.

 

Translation(s)

Since gain and loss in life depends on speech, defend yourself from careless slip in speech.

 

Translation(s)

It is speech that holds the listening ear spellbound, while (makes) those who have not heard desire to hear.

 

Translation(s)

Speak words adapted well to various hearer’ state, there lives neither higher virtue nor greater gain.

Explanation

This is the fundamental rule taught in public speaking, training, and making presentations. It states that keep your audience in mind while speaking – speech to be adapted to the audience. This obviously is equally important in teaching and preaching – which could have been important part of Thiru-valluvar’s day to day routine / work. In this work he would have surely encountered listeners of varying abilities – scholars to laymen to kids.

Translation(s)

Speak out your speech when once it is past dispute so that none can utter speech that shall refute your speech.

Explanation

Sounds very difficult to do. But Thiru-valluvar did exactly this. The verses he has composed are on universal morality such that followers of all religions have to accept it and have no way of refuting it. See ------, in the Home Page.

Translation(s)

It is the method of wise men of spotless excellence, to seize the sense of others’ words and charm each hearers’ ear.

Explanation

The message appears to be that a wise man should understand the best of wisdom and convey it charmingly to his audience.

Translation(s)

It is hard for hostile power to overreach such a man who is mighty in word, of unforgetful mind, of fearless speech.

Explanation

This appears to refer to competitive debates between wise men in court assemblies. The speaker with good diction, who did not forget his script, and spoke with boldness carried the day.

Translation(s)

When men of mighty speech propound a weighty theme, the listening world will gather around swiftly.

Explanation

This refers to crowds gathering to hear wise men. It happens even today in India.

Translation(s)

Those who do not have the skill to utter 10 plain faultless words, their tongues will itch men’s ears to pain with 1000 words.

 

Translation(s)

Men who can’t expound their acquired lore to others’ ears are like scentless flower bound in a blooming garland.

 

The Statue is located on a Rock 400 Metres from Mainland of India. This is Land's End.
It is mindboggling to think that there is only water from this point till Antartica.
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari, India
Cr

References