Kural 721
Unsullied men, skilled in discourse, may speak unfalteringly
before the powerful, provided they understand their audience.
Kural 722
Only the learned among learned can convincingly express
what they have learned before a learned assembly.
Kural 723
Men who can brave death on the battlefield are common;
but rare are they who can face an audience without fear.
Kural 724
Speak confidently before the learned what you have mastered;
and learn from those more learned what you do not know.
Kural 725
Study the science of logic in order that
you may fearlessly reply in any assembly.
Kural 726
What can a coward do with a sword?
What can a man who fears an astute council do with books?
Kural 727
The learning of those who fearfully face an audience
is like the shining saber of effeminate men facing foes.
Kural 728
Having learned many things, men remain useless
if they cannot speak well in good assemblies.
Kural 729
Literary men intimidated by gatherings of good men
are said to be inferior to the illiterate.
Kural 730
Men whose fear of assemblies forbids them to share
their knowledge, though living, may as well be dead.
