Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Ministers of State (அமைச்சியல்) — The Knowledge of the Council Chamber (அவையறிதல்)

Kural 711:
அவையறிநது ஆராய்ந்து சொல்லுக சொல்லின்
தொகையறிந்த தூய்மை யவர்.
avaiyaRinhadhu aaraaindhu solluka sollin
thokaiyaRindha thooimai yavar
English couplet:
Men pure in heart, who know of words the varied force,
Should to their audience known adapt their well-arranged discourse.
Explanation: Let the pure who know the arrangement of words speak with deliberation after ascertaining (the nature of) the court (then assembled).

Kural 712:
இடைதெரிந்து நன்குணர்ந்து சொல்லுக சொல்லின்
நடைதெரிந்த நன்மை யவர்.
idaidherindhu nankuNarndhu solluka sollin
nadaidherindha nanmai yavar
English couplet:
Good men to whom the arts of eloquence are known,
Should seek occasion meet, and say what well they've made their own.
Explanation: Let the good who know the uses of words speak with a clear knowledge after ascertaining the time (suited to the court).

Kural 713:
அவையறியார் சொல்லல்மேற் கொள்பவர் சொல்லின்
வகையறியார் வல்லதூஉம் இல்.
avaiyaRiyaar sollalmaeR koLpavar sollin
vakaiyaRiyaar valladhooum il
English couplet:
Unversed in councils, who essays to speak.
Knows not the way of suasive words,- and all is weak.
Explanation: Those who undertake to speak without knowing the (nature of the) court are ignorant of the quality of words as well as devoid of the power (of learning).

Kural 714:
ஒளியார்முன் ஒள்ளிய ராதல் வெளியார்முன்
வான்சுதை வண்ணம் கொளல்.
oLiyaarmun oLLiya raadhal veLiyaarmun
vaansudhai vaNNam koLal
English couplet:
Before the bright ones shine as doth the light!
Before the dull ones be as purest stucco white!.
Explanation: Ministers should be lights in the assembly of the enlightned, but assume the pure whiteness of mortar (ignorance) in that of fools.

Kural 715:
நன்றென்ற வற்றுள்ளும் நன்றே முதுவருள்
முந்து கிளவாச் செறிவு.
nandrendra vatruLLum nandrae mudhuvaruL
mundhu kiLavaach cheRivu
English couplet:
Midst all good things the best is modest grace,
That speaks not first before the elders' face.
Explanation: The modesty by which one does not rush forward and speak in (an assembly of) superiors is the best among all (one's) good qualities.

Kural 716:
ஆற்றின் நிலைதளர்ந் தற்றே வியன்புலம்
ஏற்றுணர்வார் முன்னர் இழுக்கு.
aatrin nilaidhaLarnh thatrae viyanpulam
EtruNarvaar munnar izhukku
English couplet:
As in the way one tottering falls, is slip before
The men whose minds are filled with varied lore.
Explanation: (For a minister) to blunder in the presence of those who have acquired a vast store of learning and know (the value thereof) is like a good man stumbling (and falling away) from the path (of virtue).

Kural 717:
கற்றறிந்தார் கல்வி விளங்கும் கசடறச்
சொல்தெரிதல் வல்லார் அகத்து.
katraRindhaar kalvi viLangum kasatarach
choldheridhal vallaar agaththu
English couplet:
The learning of the learned sage shines bright
To those whose faultless skill can value it aright.
Explanation: The learning of those who have read and understood (much) will shine in the assembly of those who faultlessly examine (the nature of) words.

Kural 718:
உணர்வ துடையார்முன் சொல்லல் வளர்வதன்
பாத்தியுள் நீர்சொரிந் தற்று.
uNarva thudaiyaarmun sollal vaLarvadhan
paaththiyuL nheersorinh thatru
English couplet:
To speak where understanding hearers you obtain,
Is sprinkling water on the fields of growing grain!.
Explanation: Lecturing to those who have the ability to understand (for themselves) is like watering a bed of plants that are growing (of themselves).

Kural 719:
புல்லவையுள் பொச்சாந்தும் சொல்லற்க நல்லவையுள்
நன்குசலச் சொல்லு வார்.
pullavaiyuL pochchaandhum sollaRka nallavaiyuL
nankusalach chollu vaar
English couplet:
In councils of the good, who speak good things with penetrating power,
In councils of the mean, let them say nought, e'en in oblivious hour.
Explanation: Those who are able to speak good things impressively in an assembly of the good should not even forgetfully speak them in that of the low.

Kural 720:
அங்கணத்துள் உக்க அமிழ்தற்றால் தங்கணத்தார்
அல்லார்முன் கோட்டி கொளல்.
angaNaththuL ukka amizhdhatraal thangaNaththaar
allaarmun koatti koLal
English couplet:
Ambrosia in the sewer spilt, is word
Spoken in presence of the alien herd.
Explanation: To utter (a good word) in the assembly of those who are of inferior rank is like dropping nectar on the ground.