Thirukkural 716 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
ஆற்றின் நிலைதளர்ந் தற்றே வியன்புலம்
ஏற்றுணர்வார் முன்னர் இழுக்கு.
Transliteration
Aatrin Nilaidhalarn Thatre Viyanpulam
Etrunarvaar Munnar Izhukku
Modern English
“Making a serious mistake before people with deep knowledge can undo your standing, just as stumbling can take someone off a good path.”
Modern Interpretation
Making a serious mistake before people with deep knowledge can undo your standing, just as stumbling can take someone off a good path. Before presenting to a review panel, prepare carefully rather than guessing.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Making a serious mistake before people with deep knowledge can undo your standing, just as stumbling can take someone off a good path.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Tongue-slip before the talented wise is like slipping from righteous ways
G.U. Pope Translation
As in the way one tottering falls, is slip beforeThe men whose minds are filled with varied lore
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
(For a minister) to blunder in the presence of those who have acquired a vast store of learning and know (the value thereof) is like a good man stumbling (and falling away) from the path (of virtue)
Tamil commentary
பலதுறை நூல்பொருள்களைக் கேட்டு உணரும் திறம் மிக்கவர்முன்னே ஆற்றல்மிக்க பேச்சாளன் சொல்லால் சிறுமைப்படுவது மேலான நெறியிலிருந்து நிலைதவறி விழுவதைப் போல ஆகும்.
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