World Colleges Information

Chapter. 72. The Knowledge of the Council Chamber
Kural-711
Men pure in heart, who know of words the varied force,
Should to their audience known adapt their well-arranged discourse.
Meaning : Let the pure who know the arrangement of words speak with deliberation after ascertaining (the nature of) the court (then assembled).
Kural-712
Good men to whom the arts of eloquence are known,
Should seek occasion meet, and say what well they've made their own.
Meaning : Let the good who know the uses of words speak with a clear knowledge after ascertaining the time (suited to the court).
Kural-713
Unversed in councils, who essays to speak.
Knows not the way of suasive words,- and all is weak.
Meaning : Those who undertake to speak without knowing the (nature of the) court are ignorant of the quality of words as well as devoid of the power (of learning).
Kural-714
Before the bright ones shine as doth the light!
Before the dull ones be as purest stucco white!
Meaning : Ministers should be lights in the assembly of the enlightned, but assume the pure whiteness of mortar (ignorance) in that of fools.
Kural-715
Midst all good things the best is modest grace,
That speaks not first before the elders' face.
Meaning : The modesty by which one does not rush forward and speak in (an assembly of) superiors is the best among all (one's) good qualities.
Kural-716
As in the way one tottering falls, is slip before
The men whose minds are filled with varied lore.
Meaning : (For a minister) to blunder in the presence of those who have acquired a vast store of learning and know (the value thereof) is like a good man stumbling (and falling away) from the path (of virtue).
Kural-717
The learning of the learned sage shines bright
To those whose faultless skill can value it aright.
Meaning : The learning of those who have read and understood (much) will shine in the assembly of those who faultlessly examine (the nature of) words.
Kural-718
To speak where understanding hearers you obtain,
Is sprinkling water on the fields of growing grain!
Meaning : Lecturing to those who have the ability to understand (for themselves) is like watering a bed of plants that are growing (of themselves).
Kural-719
In councils of the good, who speak good things with penetrating power,
In councils of the mean, let them say nought, e'en in oblivious hour.
Meaning : Those who are able to speak good things impressively in an assembly of the good should not even forgetfully speak them in that of the low.
Kural-720
Ambrosia in the sewer spilt, is word
Spoken in presence of the alien herd.
Meaning : To utter (a good word) in the assembly of those who are of inferior rank is like dropping nectar on the ground.