Maxim # 27: வஞ்சகம் பேசேல் -- Refrain from malicious speech.

ஆத்திச்சூடி # 27: வஞ்சகம் பேசேல் (van-jug-am pE-sEl)

Translation: Refrain from malicious speech.

Rumination: In this maxim, "வஞ்சகம்" means "malice" and "பேசேல்" means "never talk." Therefore a person must not indulge in malicious talk. This point has been repeatedly reinforced by our ancestors for ages. Malicious talk may have a few curious onlookers at the outset, but soon sets one's own house in fire. In the darkest abyss of one's spite, hatred, and ignominy the seed of malice germinates. It may start first as an insinuation, then on repetitious utterances gains notoriety as a credible notion and finally finishes the opponent of his rightful share to equality and freedom to reputation. It is interesting though, that a person who starts this game is ultimately caught into this thraldom because one cannot expect grapes from thorn-bushes. Anybody who speaks malice commits an act that is malum in se (evil in itself). Initially the person might feel happy that somebody else's house is under fire, but alas, those fires then engulf his own peace of mind to ultimately ruin his soul. As such Auvaiyar makes a strong case to refrain from malicious talk.

Quotes: "And the tongue is a fire. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue -- a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. This ought not to be so." -- James 3:6-10, The Holy Bible (RSV).