73. Not to dread the Council

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.

Those who can agreeably set forth their acquirements before the learned will be regarded as the most learned among the learned.

Many indeed may (fearlessly) die in the presence of (their) foes; (but) few are those who are fearless in the assembly (of the learned).

(Ministers) should agreeably set forth their acquirements before the learned and acquire more (knowledge) from their superiors (in learning).

In order to reply fearlessly before a foreign court, (ministers) should learn logic according to the rules (of grammar).

What have they to do with a sword who are not valiant, or they with learning who are afraid of an intelligent assembly ?

The learning of him who is diffident before an assembly is like the shining sword of an hermaphrodite in the presence of his foes.

Those who cannot agreeably speak good things before a good assembly are indeed unprofitable persons inspite of all their various acquirements.

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.

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.