Moral ideal, gentle speech
Original Marathi from the Tukaram Gatha · About Sant Tukaram
मराठी मूळ
भल्याचें दरुषण । तेथें शुभ चि वचन ॥1॥
बोलावी हे धर्मनीत । क्षोभें होत नाहीं हित ॥ध्रु.॥
मर्यादा ते बरी । वेळ जाणावी चतुरीं ॥2॥
तुका ह्मणे बहु । लागे ऐसें बरें मऊ ॥3॥
Tukaram Gatha (Marathi Wikisource)
English Translation
In the presence of a good person, only auspicious words should be spoken. This is the way of righteousness to follow; anger does not lead to well-being. Propriety is a fine thing; the wise know how to read the moment. Says Tuka, soft and gentle speech makes a deep and lasting impression.
We ask forgiveness for any inaccuracies in rendering Tukaram ji’s original Marathi.
In Plain Words
In the presence of a good person, speak only kind and auspicious words. This is the way of dharma to keep; anger never leads to anyone's good. A sense of propriety is a fine thing, and the wise know how to read the moment. Tuka says: soft, gentle speech is what leaves a deep and lasting mark.
What it means
A small teaching on speech and tact. Tukaram counsels kind, auspicious words, especially before the good, and rejects anger as something that never produces real benefit. He prizes a sense of fitness and propriety, and the wisdom to read the moment and say what suits it. The closing point is practical and humane: it is gentleness, not force or heat, that actually moves people and leaves a lasting impression. Soft speech is not weakness here; it is the more powerful instrument.
The Moral Ideal
Purity, sincerity, truthfulness, humility, peacefulness, and service.
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