Thirukkural 730 in English

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

Tamil original

உளரெனினும் இல்லாரொடு ஒப்பர் களன்அஞ்சிக்
கற்ற செலச்சொல்லா தார்.

Transliteration

Ulareninum Illaarotu Oppar Kalananjik
Katra Selachchollaa Thaar

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Those who through fear of the assembly are unable to set forth their learning in an interesting manner, though alive, are yet like the dead

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Who what they've learned, in penetrating words know not to say,The council fearing, though they live, as dead are they

Plain-English Meaning

Those who through fear of the assembly are unable to set forth their learning in an interesting manner, though alive, are yet like the dead

அவையைப் பார்த்துப் பயந்து, படித்தவற்றை அவைக்கு ஏற்பச் சொல்லத் தெரியாதவர், வாழ்ந்தாலும் வாழாதவர்க்குச் சமமே.

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