Thirukkural 719 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
புல்லவையுள் பொச்சாந்தும் சொல்லற்க நல்லவையுள்
நன்குசலச் சொல்லு வார்.
Transliteration
Pullavaiyul Pochchaandhum Sollarka Nallavaiyul
Nankusalach Chollu Vaar
Modern English
“Do not offer valuable guidance to an audience that only mocks or misuses it; even good words can be wasted there.”
Modern Interpretation
Do not offer valuable guidance to an audience that only mocks or misuses it; even good words can be wasted there. If a group turns every thoughtful suggestion into a joke, save the advice for people ready to act on it.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Do not offer valuable guidance to an audience that only mocks or misuses it; even good words can be wasted there.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
O ye who speak before the keen Forgetful, address not the mean
G.U. Pope Translation
In councils of the good, who speak good things with penetrating power,In councils of the mean, let them say nought, e'en in oblivious hour
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those who are able to speak good things impressively in an assembly of the good should not even forgetfully speak them in that of the low
Tamil commentary
நல்லவர் கூடி இருந்த அவையில் நல்ல பொருள்களைக் கேட்பவர் மனம் ஏற்கப் பேசும் திறம் படைத்த பேச்சாளர், அவற்றை ஏற்கும் திறம் அற்ற சிறியோர் கூடி இருக்கும் அவையில் மறந்தும் பேச வேண்டா.
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