20.1 Idle Talk

 20.1 Idle Talk

 

Question:

What is wrong with idle talk? 

Answer:

Everyone will condemn him who utters empty words displeasing others.              (Couplet – 191)

He who indulges in empty words is not a man but chaff among men.                      (Couplet – 196)

Always utter fruitful words; never utter futile words.                                                   (Couplet – 200)

 

பல்லார் முனியப் பயனில சொல்லுவான்

எல்லாரும் எள்ளப் படும்.                                                                                                                 (குறள் – 191)

பயனில்சொல் பாராட்டு வானை மகன்எனல்

மக்கட் பதடி யெனல்.                                                                                                                        (குறள் – 196)

சொல்லுக சொல்லிற் பயனுடைய சொல்லற்க

சொல்லிற் பயனிலாச் சொல்.                                                                                                         (குறள் – 200)

 

Explanation:

Valluvar considers lying, using harsh words, backbiting, and speaking vain words as four sins committed by one's speech. Speaking vain and useless words wastes everybody's time, displeases others, and damages the speaker's reputation. Chaff is the seed coverings and is considered worthless compared to the seed. A person speaking vain words has no meaningful content in his speech, and therefore, he is like chaff without the grain. Speaking useless words does not benefit anyone. Therefore, when one speaks, he should convey something worth listening to by others, and if he has nothing worth saying, he should keep quiet.