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

English Translation

“Who fear to face good assembly Are learned idiots, certainly”

Plain-English meaning

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

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

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

நூல்களைக் கற்றும் அவற்றின் பயனை அறிந்தும், நல்லவர் கூடிய அவையைக் கண்டு பயந்து அங்கே செல்லாதவர், படிக்காதவரைவிடக் கீழானவர் என்று சொல்லுவர்.

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