Thirukkural 720 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
அங்கணத்துள் உக்க அமிழ்தற்றால் தங்கணத்தார்
அல்லார்முன் கோட்டி கொளல்.
Transliteration
Anganaththul Ukka Amizhdhatraal Thanganaththaar
Allaarmun Kotti Kolal
Modern English
“Sharing a good idea with people who cannot value it is like pouring something precious onto dirty ground.”
Modern Interpretation
Sharing a good idea with people who cannot value it is like pouring something precious onto dirty ground. Posting a thoughtful solution in a hostile comment thread may only invite abuse instead of helping anyone.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Sharing a good idea with people who cannot value it is like pouring something precious onto dirty ground.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
To hostiles who wise words utters Pours ambrosia into gutters
G.U. Pope Translation
Ambrosia in the sewer spilt, is wordSpoken in presence of the alien herd
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
To utter (a good word) in the assembly of those who are of inferior rank is like dropping nectar on the ground
Tamil commentary
தமக்குச் சமம் அற்றவர் கூடியுள்ள அவையில் எதையும் பேச வேண்டா; பேசினால் அப்பேச்சு சாக்கடையுள் கொட்டிய அமிழ்தம் 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