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
Modern English
“Reading many books is not enough if you cannot communicate worthwhile ideas in a way good listeners can understand.”
Modern Interpretation
Reading many books is not enough if you cannot communicate worthwhile ideas in a way good listeners can understand. A student may master the material yet fail to help the group if the explanation is confusing.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Reading many books is not enough if you cannot communicate worthwhile ideas in a way good listeners can understand.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Those who cannot agreeably speak good things before a good assembly are indeed unprofitable persons inspite of all their various acquirements
Tamil commentary
நல்லனவற்றை நல்லவர் கூடிய அவையில் அவர் மனங் கொள்ளச் சொல்லத் தெரியாதவர், பலதுறை நூல்களைக் கற்றிருந்தாலும் உலகிற்குப் பயன்படாதவரே.
Chapter 73
More from Not to dread the Council
அவை அஞ்சாமை
The pure fail not in power of words Knowing grand council's moods and modes
Kural 722Among scholars he is scholar Who holds scholars with learned lore
Kural 723Many brave foes and die in fields The fearless few face wise councils
Kural 724Impress the learned with your lore From greater savants learn still more
Kural 725Grammar and logic learn so that Foes you can boldly retort
Kural 726To cowards what can sword avail And books to those who councils fail?
Kural 727Like eunuch's sword in field, is vain His lore who fears men of brain
Kural 728Though learned much his lore is dead Who says no good before the good
Kural 729Who fear to face good assembly Are learned idiots, certainly
Kural 730They are breathing dead who dare not Empress before the wise their art