This is a famous quote in India. When there is a fruit, why should we go after unripe one? When there are sweet words to utter, why we use harsher ones?
2007-05-23 03:27:48 · 9 answers · asked by nagarajan s 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
As rightly told by A.V.R. this Tamil quote is from Tirukural -100th Kural -
"Iniya Ulavaha Innatha Kural
Kani-iruppa Kai Kavarnthatru"-
Meaning -To use harsh words, when sweet ones are at hand, Is to prefer raw fruit to ripe.
In this it is said how one should talk politely to others. It is correct and can be carried out to some extent only. In the present days I don't know how far it is possible to be polite completely and to some extent we have to be harsh to get our things done. If you act according to the Kural, the ripe fruit will be looted away and you will have only raw fruit i.e. you will be cheated -
2007-05-24 05:33:31 · answer #1 · answered by Jayaraman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a practical matter, unripe fruit is destined for the marketplace. The rest of the adage is quite correct.
I heard it slightly different when I first encountered the saying.
Why would you pick an unripe fruit to eat or speak harsh words when sweet ones are easier to consume.
2007-05-23 10:35:31 · answer #2 · answered by Sophist 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unripe is not sweet and not ready, pure and innocent, plainly seen...sweet words are many, can soften the most brutish and yet can be used as weapons to conquer ones desires and pleasures...but some do not hear,(like teenagers) and so harsh words must be said to clear their stubbornness and foolishness.
2007-05-23 10:47:04 · answer #3 · answered by wilfredo a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe a better question would be simply, 'why don't we utter sweet words?' we choose to utter harsh ones because we want to talk, but to complement seems useless these days. to say 'i like your dress' or 'you have pretty eyes,' or 'i appreciate your conversation' without some benefit to yourself... if you will never see the person again, what do you have to gain from their liking you a little bit more? why bother? in todays society you meet no less than fifty people a week that you are never likely to speak to again; so what does it matter if they think well of you? unless of coarse you want to manipulate them for your gains later in life, in such case you will complement unfitfully so as to facilitate your own personal goals. even in long term relationships, we tend to either be lavish and over-the-top with our kind words, or neglect those kind words even when we mean them.
what results is an inordinate amount of cruel words, inaccurate to our thoughts by comparison.
2007-05-23 10:50:14 · answer #4 · answered by mat. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The original quote from the Tamil Saint Tirivalluvar is an observation and not a question.
' Speaking harshly when (one) can as well talk sweetly, is like choosing a raw fruit over a ripe one.'
It just expresses the gentle saint's anguish over the norm of human behaviour.
Why indeed? It is just human nature. Not all are saints.
2007-05-23 13:50:08 · answer #5 · answered by A.V.R. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure where you're going with the fruit but sometimes harsh words are used in self defense. If someone has hurt you & words are your only weapon, you may be inclined to use them.
I know it's not right though. Vicious words can sting. But it's hard not to lash out when someone has wounded you...Still, it's self-defeating. Anger hurts the person who feels it as much or more than the person it's directed at. Harsh words can poison you. Bitterness can eat away at you. It's healthier & happier to just let go. To forgive. To be gentle with your words. To be at peace.
I still struggle with this myself...
I strive to be as kind and sweet as I can be but it's hard when someone attacks me. I go into self-defense mode. I become mean & bitter in response. My temper is a weakness & I grapple with it. Words are powerful. We don't always comprehend the lasting effect that they can have...
2007-05-23 10:37:15 · answer #6 · answered by amp 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. Because the unripe fruit keeps longer and we may not be hungry now.
2. Because we may MEAN harshness...not sweetness. Why say something you don't mean.
2007-05-23 10:30:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps with 'maturity' humans also learn to choose 'sweet' words :)
2007-05-23 11:26:57 · answer #8 · answered by Praxis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when there are grapes, you pick them at different stages or ripeness for different flavors, and blend them for unique tastes
some like sweet wines and some like sour wines and some like their wine in between
2007-05-23 10:34:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋