Thirukkural Chapter 72 - The Knowledge of the Council Chamber

Couplet 711 
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)

Couplet 712 
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)

Couplet 713 
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)

Couplet 714 
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

Couplet 715 
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

Couplet 716 
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)

Couplet 717 
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

Couplet 718 
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)

Couplet 719 
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

Couplet 720 
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