Thirukkural 712 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
இடைதெரிந்து நன்குணர்ந்து சொல்லுக சொல்லின்
நடைதெரிந்த நன்மை யவர்.
Transliteration
Itaidherindhu Nankunarndhu Solluka Sollin
Nataidherindha Nanmai Yavar
Modern English
“A wise speaker considers the setting, the listeners, and the right moment before speaking.”
Modern Interpretation
A wise speaker considers the setting, the listeners, and the right moment before speaking. In a meeting, waiting until the group is ready can make useful advice easier to hear.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A wise speaker considers the setting, the listeners, and the right moment before speaking.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who know the art of speech shall suit Their chosen words to time in fact
G.U. Pope Translation
Good men to whom the arts of eloquence are known,Should seek occasion meet, and say what well they've made their own
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let the good who know the uses of words speak with a clear knowledge after ascertaining the time (suited to the court)
Tamil commentary
மூவகைச் சொற்களும் பொருள் தரும் போக்கை நன்கு தெரிந்து கொண்ட நல்லறிவு படைத்தவர், சொற்குற்றமும் பொருட்குற்றமும் வந்துவிடாமல், கேட்போர் விரும்பிக் கேட்கும் நிலைமையையும் மிகத் தெளிவாக அறிந்து பேசுக.
Chapter 72
More from The Knowledge of the Council Chamber
அவை அறிதல்
The pure in thought and eloquence Adapt their words to audience
Kural 712Who know the art of speech shall suit Their chosen words to time in fact
Kural 713They speak in vain at length who talk Words unversed which ears don't take
Kural 714Before the bright be brilliant light Before the muff be mortar white
Kural 715Modest restraint all good excels Which argues not before elders
Kural 716Tongue-slip before the talented wise is like slipping from righteous ways
Kural 717The learning of the learned shines Valued by flawless scholar-minds
Kural 718To address understanding ones Is to water beds of growing grains
Kural 719O ye who speak before the keen Forgetful, address not the mean
Kural 720To hostiles who wise words utters Pours ambrosia into gutters