Thirukkural 728 in English

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

Tamil original

பல்லவை கற்றும் பயமிலரே நல்லவையுள்
நன்கு செலச்சொல்லா தார்.

Transliteration

Pallavai Katrum Payamilare Nallavaiyul
Nanku Selachchollaa Thaar

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Those who cannot agreeably speak good things before a good assembly are indeed unprofitable persons inspite of all their various acquirements

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Though many things they've learned, yet useless are they all,To man who cannot well and strongly speak in council hall

Plain-English Meaning

Those who cannot agreeably speak good things before a good assembly are indeed unprofitable persons inspite of all their various acquirements

நல்லனவற்றை நல்லவர் கூடிய அவையில் அவர் மனங் கொள்ளச் சொல்லத் தெரியாதவர், பலதுறை நூல்களைக் கற்றிருந்தாலும் உலகிற்குப் பயன்படாதவரே.

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