Innasey thaarai oruthal avarnaana
Nanmayam seydu vidal - Kural 314
is one of my personal favourites, and hence is quoted out of turn here
Let us again see the ubiquotous nature of all great teachings.
The above means
The best punishment for those who do evil to you, is to return great good for the evil, the goodness being to an extent that their heads will hang in shame.
The expression about "putting to shame" is not with an intention to disgrace the person/s, but rather it is about awakening the positivity and goodness based on "Kallukul eeram" - even a rock will have moisture in its depth. This will not be possible by vengeful act.
This reminds us of Lao Tse, the great sage of China who coined the famous phrase 'Requite injury with kindness'.
Another parallel that probably most of are aware is from the Bible,
'Whoever strikes thee on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also.'
Isn't is strange that the messages are so common, yet the following of it is so uncommon?
This Kural is complete in all sense - even the last word 'vidal' is apt and complete. 'vidal' means 'leave it or let it go' with a sense of ultimatum. This means once you do your act (of goodness) do not dwell upon it - move forward.
How relevant is this, as we are all reluctant of let go the past and focus on the future.
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Let us come back to our topic of discussion - communication.
Such is the greatness of this treatise EPIC that it's application is on a broad spectrum of life (be it the inner most core of values or be it about sensible tips that can be applied to one's daily life script for everyday mudane matters). The theme stays the same - to understand and master one's self.
The necessity of eloquence was emphasised in my previous blog.
Kurals 713, 718, 719 and 720 are in the form of advice to the speaker - your subject of speech should be well researched and equally important is to know the nature of the court of assembly (audience).
Avaiariyar Sollalmer Kolbhavar Sollin
Vagaiariyaar valladoovum il
Those who undertake to speak without knowing the nature and the intellectual capacity of the audience, and tend to use the same quality of words at each audience (without tailoring to each audience) cannot achieve much out of the meeting or elsewhere.
Unarvadu udaiyaarnum Sollal Valarvadan
Paathiyul Neersorintha thatru
"To speak before a learned audience is like sprinkling water on a well prepared patch of growing grain" is the literal meaning. This directly references the discussions and the great ideas that spin off in a meeting of minds. A great meeting benefits the speaker as well through the quality of discussions that arise from the audience, resulting in an enriching experience to both parties.
Pulavaiyul Porchandum Sollarkka Nalavaiyul
Nangu Sela Solluvaar
This is an interesting observation. Those who are knowledgeable and have the capacity to speak persuasively and put forth good ideas in an assembly of learned men, should not speak in an assembly of fools even by oversight. Here fools refers to belligerant, unlearned or half learned people who refuse to listen. Trying to speak to men who are unintelligent yet not willing to listen is a waste of effort and time, hence avoid it.
Ankana thulukka amuzhaatral thankanathaar
allarmun khoti kolal
The same sentiments are expressed in the next kural as well - well learned men who speak in detail and with passion in the company of ignorant people is compared with the futile act of pouring ambrosia into a gutter or drain.
Happy pondering on what you have read ..until we meet again.
Nanmayam seydu vidal - Kural 314
is one of my personal favourites, and hence is quoted out of turn here
Let us again see the ubiquotous nature of all great teachings.
The above means
The best punishment for those who do evil to you, is to return great good for the evil, the goodness being to an extent that their heads will hang in shame.
The expression about "putting to shame" is not with an intention to disgrace the person/s, but rather it is about awakening the positivity and goodness based on "Kallukul eeram" - even a rock will have moisture in its depth. This will not be possible by vengeful act.
This reminds us of Lao Tse, the great sage of China who coined the famous phrase 'Requite injury with kindness'.
Another parallel that probably most of are aware is from the Bible,
'Whoever strikes thee on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also.'
Isn't is strange that the messages are so common, yet the following of it is so uncommon?
This Kural is complete in all sense - even the last word 'vidal' is apt and complete. 'vidal' means 'leave it or let it go' with a sense of ultimatum. This means once you do your act (of goodness) do not dwell upon it - move forward.
How relevant is this, as we are all reluctant of let go the past and focus on the future.
-------------------------------------------
Let us come back to our topic of discussion - communication.
Such is the greatness of this treatise EPIC that it's application is on a broad spectrum of life (be it the inner most core of values or be it about sensible tips that can be applied to one's daily life script for everyday mudane matters). The theme stays the same - to understand and master one's self.
The necessity of eloquence was emphasised in my previous blog.
Kurals 713, 718, 719 and 720 are in the form of advice to the speaker - your subject of speech should be well researched and equally important is to know the nature of the court of assembly (audience).
Avaiariyar Sollalmer Kolbhavar Sollin
Vagaiariyaar valladoovum il
Those who undertake to speak without knowing the nature and the intellectual capacity of the audience, and tend to use the same quality of words at each audience (without tailoring to each audience) cannot achieve much out of the meeting or elsewhere.
Unarvadu udaiyaarnum Sollal Valarvadan
Paathiyul Neersorintha thatru
"To speak before a learned audience is like sprinkling water on a well prepared patch of growing grain" is the literal meaning. This directly references the discussions and the great ideas that spin off in a meeting of minds. A great meeting benefits the speaker as well through the quality of discussions that arise from the audience, resulting in an enriching experience to both parties.
Pulavaiyul Porchandum Sollarkka Nalavaiyul
Nangu Sela Solluvaar
This is an interesting observation. Those who are knowledgeable and have the capacity to speak persuasively and put forth good ideas in an assembly of learned men, should not speak in an assembly of fools even by oversight. Here fools refers to belligerant, unlearned or half learned people who refuse to listen. Trying to speak to men who are unintelligent yet not willing to listen is a waste of effort and time, hence avoid it.
Ankana thulukka amuzhaatral thankanathaar
allarmun khoti kolal
The same sentiments are expressed in the next kural as well - well learned men who speak in detail and with passion in the company of ignorant people is compared with the futile act of pouring ambrosia into a gutter or drain.
Happy pondering on what you have read ..until we meet again.
