Tirukkural was written between 2 BCE—5 CE. It is a series of couplets which are succinct and are relevant even today. It has been translated from Tamil. I selected these couplets from,

Being Good

Words must be spoken to some purpose
Tattle’s more offensive than the tattler may suppose. – 191

Speaking worthless words to the wise
Is like–in fact, worse than–harming friends you prize. – 192

Better to stay unheard
Then speak a single worthless word. – 197

The wise use their words with care
They don’t float them idly in the air. – 199

How often do we speak carelessly? Are we aware that whatever we speak, stays in the ether? Do we pause and then speak?

When we use cruel and rude words, how does it affect us? We are affected by the words; we may not realize it.

We need to apply Atmabhava and then we will cease the use of worthless words.

Aim Hrim Klim

Picture by Unknown author – Tamil Virtual Academy (http://www.tamilvu.org/library/suvadi/s210/html/s2100003.htm), Public Domain, Link