Thirukkural 729 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கல்லா தவரின் கடையென்ப கற்றறிந்தும்
நல்லா ரவையஞ்சு வார்.
Transliteration
Kallaa Thavarin Kataiyenpa Katrarindhum
Nallaa Ravaiyanju Vaar
Modern English
“A person who has learned but is too afraid to speak before thoughtful people may be worse off than someone who never studied, because unused learning helps no one.”
Modern Interpretation
A person who has learned but is too afraid to speak before thoughtful people may be worse off than someone who never studied, because unused learning helps no one. An employee who knows how to fix a problem but hides during the review cannot contribute.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
A person who has learned but is too afraid to speak before thoughtful people may be worse off than someone who never studied, because unused learning helps no one.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who fear to face good assembly Are learned idiots, certainly
G.U. Pope Translation
Who, though they've learned, before the council of the good men quake,Than men unlearn'd a lower place must take
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
They who, though they have learned and understood, are yet afraid of the assembly of the good, are said to be inferior (even) to the illiterate
Tamil commentary
நூல்களைக் கற்றும் அவற்றின் பயனை அறிந்தும், நல்லவர் கூடிய அவையைக் கண்டு பயந்து அங்கே செல்லாதவர், படிக்காதவரைவிடக் கீழானவர் என்று சொல்லுவர்.
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