Thiruvalluvar On 'Knowing The Nature Of The Assembly' Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

711.The word-smiths well versed in word-class should know the nature
of the assembly, before addressing it with much deliberations.
712.The sagacious who’re masters of the arts of eloquence
should know the quality of the court and speak with clarity.
713.The self-assertive who address a council not knowing its nature
are ignorant of the quality of words and have no worth to say.
714.Sparkle in the court of the enlightened
and act dumb in the midst of fool as the soundless white lime.
715.The best of all the good things is to wait
and speak at your turn in a court of the elders.
716.Making howlers in the presence of the erudite
likens the staggering degradation from the path of virtue.
717.The expertise of the distinguished scholars will shine
in the court of the sapient who examine the words faultlessly.
718.Sensitising the sensible in a council
is akin to watering a bed of plants which grow themselves.
719.Those who are impressive speakers in the court of the learned
should remain silent spectators in the audience of the dunces.
720.To rave about in the court of the stupids
is like nectar spilt in the sewers.