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அவை அஞ்சாமை: Not to dread the Council
About this chapter
அவை அஞ்சாமை, not dreading the council, is the companion of chapter 72. That chapter is about reading an audience; this one is about having the nerve to speak to it, since learning that cannot be voiced before the learned is of little use.
Kural 721 says that those who understand the arrangement of words will not falter before a mighty assembly. Kural 722 says that those who can set forth their learning before the learned are counted the most learned among them. Kural 723 makes the sharpest comparison: many can face death before a foe, but few are fearless in a council. Kural 724 gives the dual aim, which is to speak well before the learned and to learn more from those who know more. Kural 725 recommends studying reasoning so as to reply without fear. The last five kurals criticise the timid scholar: swords are useless to the timid, and learning to those who dread a keen assembly (Kurals 726 and 727), and such learning leaves one unprofitable, below the unlearned and like the dead (Kurals 728 to 730).
Kural 723 is the one to remember, for the comparison of courage in battle and courage in debate. Kural 724 is the most useful, since it treats a debate as a place to learn as well as to speak.
For the syllabus, it fits universal values and everyday life: confidence and public speaking.
The 10 kurals of அவை அஞ்சாமை
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
வகையறிந்து வல்லவை வாய்சோரார் சொல்லின்
தொகையறிந்த தூய்மை யவர்.
Vakaiyarindhu Vallavai Vaaisoraar Sollin
Thokaiyarindha Thooimai Yavar
Men, pure in heart, who know of words the varied force, The mighty council's moods discern, nor fail in their discourse
கற்றாருள் கற்றார் எனப்படுவர் கற்றார்முன்
கற்ற செலச்சொல்லு வார்.
Katraarul Katraar Enappatuvar Katraarmun
Katra Selachchollu Vaar
Who what they've learned, in penetrating words heve learned to say, Before the learn'd among the learn'd most learn'd are they
பகையகத்துச் சாவார் எளியர் அரியர்
அவையகத்து அஞ்சா தவர்.
Pakaiyakaththuch Chaavaar Eliyar Ariyar
Avaiyakaththu Anjaa Thavar
Many encountering death in face of foe will hold their ground; Who speak undaunted in the council hall are rarely found
கற்றார்முன் கற்ற செலச்சொல்லித் தாம்கற்ற
மிக்காருள் மிக்க கொளல்.
Katraarmun Katra Selachchollith Thaamkatra
Mikkaarul Mikka Kolal
What you have learned, in penetrating words speak out beforeThe learn'd; but learn what men more learn'd can teach you more
ஆற்றின் அளவறிந்து கற்க அவையஞ்சா
மாற்றங் கொடுத்தற் பொருட்டு.
Aatrin Alavarindhu Karka Avaiyanjaa
Maatrang Kotuththar Poruttu
By rule, to dialectic art your mind apply, That in the council fearless you may make an apt reply
வாளொடென் வன்கண்ணர் அல்லார்க்கு நூலொடென்
நுண்ணவை அஞ்சு பவர்க்கு.
Vaaloten Vankannar Allaarkku Nooloten
Nunnavai Anju Pavarkku
To those who lack the hero's eye what can the sword availOr science what, to those before the council keen who quail
பகையகத்துப் பேடிகை ஒள்வாள் அவையகத்து
அஞ்சு மவன்கற்ற நூல்.
Pakaiyakaththup Petikai Olvaal Avaiyakaththu
Anju Mavankatra Nool
As shining sword before the foe which 'sexless being' bears, Is science learned by him the council's face who fears
பல்லவை கற்றும் பயமிலரே நல்லவையுள்
நன்கு செலச்சொல்லா தார்.
Pallavai Katrum Payamilare Nallavaiyul
Nanku Selachchollaa Thaar
Though many things they've learned, yet useless are they all, To man who cannot well and strongly speak in council hall
கல்லா தவரின் கடையென்ப கற்றறிந்தும்
நல்லா ரவையஞ்சு வார்.
Kallaa Thavarin Kataiyenpa Katrarindhum
Nallaa Ravaiyanju Vaar
Who, though they've learned, before the council of the good men quake, Than men unlearn'd a lower place must take
உளரெனினும் இல்லாரொடு ஒப்பர் களன்அஞ்சிக்
கற்ற செலச்சொல்லா தார்.
Ulareninum Illaarotu Oppar Kalananjik
Katra Selachchollaa Thaar
Who what they've learned, in penetrating words know not to say, The council fearing, though they live, as dead are they
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