The Utterance of Pleasant Words
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mugattāṉ amarndu iṉidu nōkki agattāṉ ām / iṉsoliṉadē aṟam
Virtue can live in a warm reception followed by sincere kind speech. Welcome may be communicated through words and actions when facial expression differs.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“With brightly beaming smile, and kindly light of loving eye, And heart sincere, to utter pleasant words is charity.”
“Behold the sweet and gracious look and the kind speech that cometh from the heart: Righteousness hath its dwelling place there.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
முகத்தான் அமர்ந்து இனிது நோக்கி = கண்டபொழுதே முகத்தான் விரும்பி இனிதாக நோக்கி; அகத்தான் ஆம் இன்சொலினதே அறம் = பின் நண்ணியவழி மனத்துடனாகிய இனிய சொற்களைச் சொல்லுதலின் கண்ணே அறம். (ஈதலின் கண்ணது அன்று என்றவாறு.)
Source: Tamil Wikisource
To look upon someone warmly, with a glad face, and then to speak to them kindly from a sincere heart — virtue itself dwells right there, in that act. Goodness is found not only in giving things, but in the warmth of a welcoming look and gentle, heartfelt words.