Chapter 16 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 16

Valmiki Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda

Verse 16.20

सुलभाः पुरुषा राजन्सततं प्रियवादिनः। अप्रियस्य च पथ्यस्य वक्ता श्रोता च दुर्लभः॥

sulabhāḥ puruṣā rājansatataṃ priyavādinaḥ| apriyasya ca pathyasya vaktā śrotā ca durlabhaḥ||

English Meaning

O king, many are the persons who speak sweet words. hit rare are they who can speak and near anpalatable but well-meaning words.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)