Who have not skill ten faultless words to utter plain, Their tongues will itch with thousand words man’s ears to pain. They will desire to utter many words, who do not know how to speak a few faultless ones.
குற்றமற்றவையாகிய சில சொற்களைச் சொல்லத் தெரியாதவர், உண்மையாகவே பல சொற்களைச் சொல்லிக் கொண்டிருக்க விரும்புவர்.
Meaning in English
Who have not skill ten faultless words to utter plain, Their tongues will itch with thousand words man’s ears to pain. They will desire to utter many words, who do not know how to speak a few faultless ones.
Thirukkural 649 belongs to the wealth (பொருட்பால்) section, chapter Other (சொல்வன்மை). Written by the ancient Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar (திருவள்ளுவர்), it teaches timeless wisdom about wealth.