Thirukkural 718 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
உணர்வ துடையார்முன் சொல்லல் வளர்வதன்
பாத்தியுள் நீர்சொரிந் தற்று.
Transliteration
Unarva Thutaiyaarmun Sollal Valarvadhan
Paaththiyul Neersorin Thatru
Modern English
“Speaking to people who are ready and able to understand is like watering a growing plant: the effort helps it flourish.”
Modern Interpretation
Speaking to people who are ready and able to understand is like watering a growing plant: the effort helps it flourish. A useful workshop becomes more valuable when participants are engaged and willing to learn.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Speaking to people who are ready and able to understand is like watering a growing plant: the effort helps it flourish.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
To address understanding ones Is to water beds of growing grains
G.U. Pope Translation
To speak where understanding hearers you obtain,Is sprinkling water on the fields of growing grain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Lecturing to those who have the ability to understand (for themselves) is like watering a bed of plants that are growing (of themselves)
Tamil commentary
பிறர் சொல்லாமலேயே தாமே பலவற்றையும் அறிந்து கொள்ளும் அறிவுத் திறம் உடையவர் கூடியுள்ள அவையில் பேசுவது வளரும் பயிர் நிற்கும் பாத்தியில் நீரினைப் பாய்ச்சியது போலாம்.
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