The Utterance of Pleasant Words

Pleasant words are words with all pervading love that burn;
Words from his guileless mouth who can the very truth discern

Explanation
Sweet words are those which imbued with love and free from deceit flow from the mouth of the virtuous.

Tamil Transliteration
Insolaal Eeram Alaiip Patiruilavaam
Semporul Kantaarvaaich Chol.

A pleasant word with beaming smile's preferred,
Even to gifts with liberal heart conferred

Explanation
Sweet speech, with a cheerful countenance is better than a gift made with a joyous mind.

Tamil Transliteration
Akanamarndhu Eedhalin Nandre Mukanamarndhu
Insolan Aakap Perin.

With brightly beaming smile, and kindly light of loving eye,
And heart sincere, to utter pleasant words is charity

Explanation
Sweet speech, flowing from the heart (uttered) with a cheerful countenance and a sweet look, is true virtue.

Tamil Transliteration
Mukaththaan Amarndhuinidhu Nokki Akaththaanaam
Inso Linadhe Aram.

The men of pleasant speech that gladness breathe around,
Through indigence shall never sorrow's prey be found

Explanation
Sorrow-increasing poverty shall not come upon those who use towards all, pleasure-increasing sweetness of speech.

Tamil Transliteration
Thunpurooum Thuvvaamai Illaakum Yaarmaattum
Inpurooum Inso Lavarkku.

Humility with pleasant speech to man on earth,
Is choice adornment; all besides is nothing worth

Explanation
Humility and sweetness of speech are the ornaments of man; all others are not (ornaments).

Tamil Transliteration
Panivutaiyan Insolan Aadhal Oruvarku
Aniyalla Matrup Pira.

Who seeks out good, words from his lips of sweetness flow;
In him the power of vice declines, and virtues grow

Explanation
If a man, while seeking to speak usefully, speaks also sweetly, his sins will diminish and his virtue increase.

Tamil Transliteration
Allavai Theya Aramperukum Nallavai
Naati Iniya Solin.

The words of sterling sense, to rule of right that strict adhere,
To virtuous action prompting, blessings yield in every sphere

Explanation
That speech which, while imparting benefits ceases not to please, will yield righteousness (for this world) and merit (for the next world).

Tamil Transliteration
Nayan Eendru Nandri Payakkum Payaneendru
Panpin Thalaippiriyaach Chol.

Sweet kindly words, from meanness free, delight of heart,
In world to come and in this world impart

Explanation
Sweet speech, free from harm to others, will give pleasure both in this world and in the next.

Tamil Transliteration
Sirumaiyul Neengiya Insol Marumaiyum
Immaiyum Inpam Tharum.

Who sees the pleasure kindly speech affords,
Why makes he use of harsh, repellant words

Explanation
Why does he use harsh words, who sees the pleasure which sweet speech yields ?.

Tamil Transliteration
Insol Inidheendral Kaanpaan Evankolo
Vansol Vazhangu Vadhu?.

When pleasant words are easy, bitter words to use,
Is, leaving sweet ripe fruit, the sour unripe to choose

Explanation
To say disagreeable things when agreeable are at hand is like eating unripe fruit when there is ripe.

Tamil Transliteration
Iniya Ulavaaka Innaadha Kooral
Kaniiruppak Kaaikavarn Thatru.