Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Ministers of State (அமைச்சியல்) — Power of Speech (சொல்வன்மை)

Kural 641:
நாநலம் என்னும் நலனுடைமை அந்நலம்
யாநலத்து உள்ளதூஉம் அன்று
naanhalam ennum nalanutaimai anhnhalam
yaanhalaththu uLLadhooum andru
English couplet:
A tongue that rightly speaks the right is greatest gain,
It stands alone midst goodly things that men obtain.
Explanation: The possession of that goodness which is called the goodness of speech is (even to others) better than any other goodness.

Kural 642:
ஆக்கமுங் கேடும் அதனால் வருதலால்
காத்தோம்பல் சொல்லின்கட் சோர்வு.
aakkamunG kaedum adhanaal varudhalaal
kaaththoampal sollin-kat soarvu
English couplet:
Since gain and loss in life on speech depend,
From careless slip in speech thyself defend.
Explanation: Since (both) wealth and evil result from (their) speech, ministers should most carefully guard themselves against faultiness therein.

Kural 643:
கேட்டார்ப் பிணிக்கும் தகையவாய்க் கேளாரும்
வேட்ப மொழிவதாம் சொல்.
kaettaarp piNikkum thakaiyavaaik kaeLaarum
vaetpa mozhivadhaam sol
English couplet:
'Tis speech that spell-bound holds the listening ear,
While those who have not heard desire to hear.
Explanation: The (minister's) speech is that which seeks (to express) elements as bind his friends (to himself) and is so delivered as to make even his enemies desire (his friendship).

Kural 644:
திறனறிந்து சொல்லுக சொல்லை அறனும்
பொருளும் அதனினூஉங்கு இல்.
thiRanaRindhu solluka sollai aRanum
poruLum adhaninooungu il
English couplet:
Speak words adapted well to various hearers' state;
No higher virtue lives, no gain more surely great.
Explanation: Understand the qualities (of your hearers) and (then) make your speech; for superior to it, there is neither virtue nor wealth.

Kural 645:
சொல்லுக சொல்லைப் பிறிதோர்சொல் அச்சொல்லை
வெல்லுஞ்சொல் இன்மை அறிந்து.
solluka sollaip piRidhoarsol achchollai
vellunjol inmai aRindhu
English couplet:
Speak out your speech, when once 'tis past dispute
That none can utter speech that shall your speech refute.
Explanation: Deliver your speech, after assuring yourself that no counter speech can defeat your own.

Kural 646:
வேட்பத்தாஞ் சொல்லிப் பிறர்சொல் பயன்கோடல்
மாட்சியின் மாசற்றார் கோள்.
vaetpaththaanhj chollip piRarsol payan-koatal
maatchiyin maasatraar koaL
English couplet:
Charming each hearer's ear, of others' words to seize the sense,
Is method wise of men of spotless excellence.
Explanation: It is the opinion of those who are free from defects in diplomacy that the minister should speak so as to make his hearers desire (to hear more) and grasp the meaning of what he hears himself.

Kural 647:
சொலல்வல்லன் சோர்விலன் அஞ்சான் அவனை
இகல்வெல்லல் யார்க்கும் அரிது.
solalvallan soarvilan anjaan avanai
ikalvellal yaarkkum aridhu
English couplet:
Mighty in word, of unforgetful mind, of fearless speech,
'Tis hard for hostile power such man to overreach.
Explanation: It is impossible for any one to conquer him by intrique who possesses power of speech, and is neither faulty nor timid.

Kural 648:
விரைந்து தொழில்கேட்கும் ஞாலம் நிரந்தினிது
சொல்லுதல் வல்லார்ப் பெறின்.
viraindhu thozhilkaetkum Gnaalam nirandhinidhu
solludhal vallaarp peRin
English couplet:
Swiftly the listening world will gather round,
When men of mighty speech the weighty theme propound.
Explanation: If there be those who can speak on various subjects in their proper order and in a pleasing manner, the world would readily accept them.

Kural 649:
பலசொல்லக் காமுறுவர் மன்றமா சற்ற
சிலசொல்லல் தேற்றா தவர்.
palasollak kaamuRuvar mandramaa satra
silasollal thaetraa thavar
English couplet:
Who have not skill ten faultless words to utter plain,
Their tongues will itch with thousand words man's ears to pain.
Explanation: They will desire to utter many words, who do not know how to speak a few faultless ones.

Kural 650:
இணருழ்த்தும் நாறா மலரனையர் கற்றது
உணர விரித்துரையா தார்.
iNaruzhththum naaRaa malaranaiyar katradhu
uNara viriththuraiyaa thaar
English couplet:
Like scentless flower in blooming garland bound
Are men who can't their lore acquired to other's ears expound.
Explanation: Those who are unable to set forth their acquirements (before others) are like flowers blossoming in a cluster and yet without fragrance.