Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Ministers of State (அமைச்சியல்) — Not to dread the Council (அவையஞ்சாமை)

Kural 721:
வகையறிந்து வல்லவை வாய்சோரார் சொல்லின்
தொகையறிந்த தூய்மை யவர்.
vakaiyaRindhu vallavai vaaisoaraar sollin
thogaiyaRindha thooimai yavar
English couplet:
Men, pure in heart, who know of words the varied force,
The mighty council's moods discern, nor fail in their discourse.
Explanation: The pure who know the classification of words having first ascertained the nature (of the court) will not (through fear) falter in their speech before the powerful body.

Kural 722:
கற்றாருள் கற்றார் எனப்படுவர் கற்றார்முன்
கற்ற செலச்சொல்லு வார்.
katraaruL katraar enappatuvar katraarmun
katra selachchollu vaar
English couplet:
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.
Explanation: Those who can agreeably set forth their acquirements before the learned will be regarded as the most learned among the learned.

Kural 723:
பகையகத்துச் சாவார் எளியர் அரியர்
அவையகத்து அஞ்சா தவர்.
pakaiyakaththuch chaavaar eLiyar ariyar
avaiyakaththu anjaa thavar
English couplet:
Many encountering death in face of foe will hold their ground;
Who speak undaunted in the council hall are rarely found.
Explanation: Many indeed may (fearlessly) die in the presence of (their) foes; (but) few are those who are fearless in the assembly (of the learned).

Kural 724:
கற்றார்முன் கற்ற செலச்சொல்லித் தாம்கற்ற
மிக்காருள் மிக்க கொளல்.
katraarmun katra selachchollith thaamkatra
mikkaarul mikka koLal
English couplet:
What you have learned, in penetrating words speak out before
The learn'd; but learn what men more learn'd can teach you more.
Explanation: (Ministers) should agreeably set forth their acquirements before the learned and acquire more (knowledge) from their superiors (in learning).

Kural 725:
ஆற்றின் அளவறிந்து கற்க அவையஞ்சா
மாற்றங் கொடுத்தற் பொருட்டு
aatrin aLavaRindhu kaRka avaiyanjaa
maatranG kotuththaR poruttu
English couplet:
By rule, to dialectic art your mind apply,
That in the council fearless you may make an apt reply.
Explanation: In order to reply fearlessly before a foreign court, (ministers) should learn logic according to the rules (of grammar).

Kural 726:
வாளொடென் வன்கண்ணர் அல்லார்க்கு நூலொடென்
நுண்ணவை அஞ்சு பவர்க்கு.
vaaLoten van-kaNNar allaarkku nooloten
nuNNavai anju pavarkku
English couplet:
To those who lack the hero's eye what can the sword avail?
Or science what, to those before the council keen who quail?.
Explanation: What have they to do with a sword who are not valiant, or they with learning who are afraid of an intelligent assembly ?.

Kural 727:
பகையகத்துப் பேடிகை ஒள்வாள் அவையகத்து
அஞ்சு மவன்கற்ற நூல்.
pakaiyakaththup paetikai oLvaaL avaiyakaththu
anju mavan-katra nool
English couplet:
As shining sword before the foe which 'sexless being' bears,
Is science learned by him the council's face who fears.
Explanation: The learning of him who is diffident before an assembly is like the shining sword of an hermaphrodite in the presence of his foes.

Kural 728:
பல்லவை கற்றும் பயமிலரே நல்லவையுள்
நன்கு செலச்சொல்லா தார்.
pallavai katrum payamilarae nallavaiyuL
nanku selachchollaa thaar
English couplet:
Though many things they've learned, yet useless are they all,
To man who cannot well and strongly speak in council hall.
Explanation: Those who cannot agreeably speak good things before a good assembly are indeed unprofitable persons inspite of all their various acquirements.

Kural 729:
கல்லா தவரின் கடையென்ப கற்றறிந்தும்
நல்லா ரவையஞ்சு வார்.
kallaa thavarin kadaiyenpa katraRindhum
nallaa ravaiyanju vaar
English couplet:
Who, though they've learned, before the council of the good men quake,
Than men unlearn'd a lower place must take.
Explanation: They who, though they have learned and understood, are yet afraid of the assembly of the good, are said to be inferior (even) to the illiterate.

Kural 730:
உளரெனினும் இல்லாரொடு ஒப்பர் களன்அஞ்சிக்
கற்ற செலச்சொல்லா தார்.
uLareninum illaarodu oppar kaLan-anjik
katra selachchollaa thaar
English couplet:
Who what they've learned, in penetrating words know not to say,
The council fearing, though they live, as dead are they.
Explanation: Those who through fear of the assembly are unable to set forth their learning in an interesting manner, though alive, are yet like the dead.