Thirukkural 713 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அவையறியார் சொல்லல்மேற் கொள்பவர் சொல்லின்
வகையறியார் வல்லதூஉம் இல்.
Transliteration
Avaiyariyaar Sollalmer Kolpavar Sollin
Vakaiyariyaar Valladhooum Il
Modern English
“Anyone who speaks without knowing the audience has not really learned how words work or how to use them well.”
Modern Interpretation
Anyone who speaks without knowing the audience has not really learned how words work or how to use them well. A joke that fits a group chat can fail badly in a serious school meeting.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Anyone who speaks without knowing the audience has not really learned how words work or how to use them well.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
They speak in vain at length who talk Words unversed which ears don't take
G.U. Pope Translation
Unversed in councils, who essays to speakKnows not the way of suasive words,- and all is weak
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those who undertake to speak without knowing the (nature of the) court are ignorant of the quality of words as well as devoid of the power (of learning)
Tamil commentary
தம் பேச்சைக் கேட்கும் சபையின் இயல்பை அறியாமல் தொடர்ந்து பேசத் தொடங்குபவர், சொற்களின் கூறம் தெரியாதவர்; சொல்லும் திறமும் இல்லாதவர்.
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