# LXV: Eloquence explained — The Kural

> Chapter companion for The Kural by Thiruvalluvar.

## What happens

This chapter extols the virtue of eloquence, emphasizing the power of speech to bind friends, captivate enemies, and advance righteousness and profit. It advises careful, well-ordered, and persuasive speech as the mark of a consummate statesman, while criticizing excessive or unfragrant verbosity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Statecraft and Governance

Eloquence is presented as a key tool for the statesman, enabling persuasion, debate, and command over the world.

### Social Harmony and Ethics

Speech is portrayed as a binding force for friendship and a means to increase righteousness, underscoring its ethical dimension.

## Character check-ins

### Thiruvalluvar

Author of the Kural, whose aphorisms on eloquence are presented in this chapter.

### the Kural

The text itself, which contains these teachings on the power and discipline of speech.

## Key lines

> Death and life are in the power of the tongue: guard thou therefore against imprudence of speech.

The tongue holds the power of both destruction and creation, so one must be cautious not to speak carelessly.

_Highlights the dual potential of speech to harm or heal._

> Behold the speech that bindeth friends more closely and fascinateth even enemies: that alone is worthy of its name.

True eloquence strengthens friendships and charms even adversaries, earning the title of genuine speech.

_Defines eloquence by its unifying and captivating effect._

> Verily they have a passion for much speaking who know not to say their mind in few and well chosen words.

Those who cannot express themselves concisely and precisely tend to talk excessively.

_Criticizes verbosity as a lack of mastery over language._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxv-eloquence
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters