Chapter 73: Not Dreading the Audience

Verse 724
A knowledgeable pundit speaks before an assembly of great scholars who admire his deep learning. Later he visits a swami who is of even greater knowledge. The pundit approaches the sage to learn more.

TAKA Presents the Tirukural

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Weaver’s Wisdom

Verse 721

Unsullied men, skilled in discourse, may speak unfalteringly
before the powerful, provided they understand their audience.

Verse 722

Only the learned among learned can convincingly express
what they have learned before a learned assembly.

Verse 723

Men who can brave death on the battlefield are common;
but rare are they who can face an audience without fear.

Verse 724

Speak confidently before the learned what you have mastered;
and learn from those more learned what you do not know.

Verse 725

Study the science of logic in order that
you may fearlessly reply in any assembly.

Verse 726

What can a coward do with a sword?
What can a man who fears an astute council do with books?

Verse 727

The learning of those who fearfully face an audience
is like the shining saber of effeminate men facing foes.

Verse 728

Having learned many things, men remain useless
if they cannot speak well in good assemblies.

Verse 729

Literary men intimidated by gatherings of good men
are said to be inferior to the illiterate.

Verse 730

Men whose fear of assemblies forbids them to share
their knowledge, though living, may as well be dead.