Fearlessness In The Council (By St.Thiruvalluvar) Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

721.The pure minded know the classifications of words,
the quality of the council and offer a fault free speech.
722.One who tells the learned assembly what he has learnt
Is praised as the most learned of the learned.
723.Many men fight with the foes and death in a war do seek.
But a few in a congregation fearlessly speak.
724.In a learned council, speak clearly to reach their minds
And glean from the erudite, knowledge of all kinds.
725.To give apt replies in a conclave with courage,
Browse and probe the dialectics to equip your mind.
726.What can they do, with the sword if they are frail
And with great works when they in council quail?
727.The books read by those who dread to speak in the council
Liken the shining sabres wielded by eunuchs amidst foes.
728.No use of your wide reading to all if you can't speak
good words to reach the good minds in the council.
729.The lower place than of the illiterates they make
After vast learning, to speak in the council, if they quake.
730.If you fear to manipulate words and tell the council
of your worth, You are dead alike though you are alive.