Thirukkural 723 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

பகையகத்துச் சாவார் எளியர் அரியர்
அவையகத்து அஞ்சா தவர்.

Transliteration

Pakaiyakaththuch Chaavaar Eliyar Ariyar
Avaiyakaththu Anjaa Thavar

English Translation

“Many brave foes and die in fields The fearless few face wise councils”

Plain-English meaning

Many indeed may (fearlessly) die in the presence of (their) foes; (but) few are those who are fearless in the assembly (of the learned)

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Many brave foes and die in fields The fearless few face wise councils

G.U. Pope Translation

Many encountering death in face of foe will hold their ground;Who speak undaunted in the council hall are rarely found

Plain-English Meaning

Many indeed may (fearlessly) die in the presence of (their) foes; (but) few are those who are fearless in the assembly (of the learned)

பகைவர்களுக்கிடையே பயப்படாமல் புகுந்து சாவோர் பலர் உண்டு;பேசுவோர் சிலரேயாவார்.

Chapter 73

அவை அஞ்சாமை

The pure fail not in power of words Knowing grand council's moods and modes

Among scholars he is scholar Who holds scholars with learned lore

Many brave foes and die in fields The fearless few face wise councils

Impress the learned with your lore From greater savants learn still more

Grammar and logic learn so that Foes you can boldly retort

To cowards what can sword avail And books to those who councils fail?

Like eunuch's sword in field, is vain His lore who fears men of brain

Though learned much his lore is dead Who says no good before the good

Who fear to face good assembly Are learned idiots, certainly

They are breathing dead who dare not Empress before the wise their art