Thirukkural 2 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கற்றதனால் ஆய பயனென்கொல் வாலறிவன்
நற்றாள் தொழாஅர் எனின்.
Transliteration
Katradhanaal Aaya Payanenkol Vaalarivan
Natraal Thozhaaar Enin
Modern English
“Many people collect degrees, certificates, and information.”
Modern Interpretation
Many people collect degrees, certificates, and information. Yet the most respected people are often those who use their knowledge with humility and kindness. Education becomes meaningful when it helps us make better decisions, solve problems, and improve the lives of others.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Many people collect degrees, certificates, and information.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
That lore is vain which does not fall At His good feet who knoweth all
G.U. Pope Translation
No fruit have men of all their studied lore,Save they the 'Purely Wise One's' feet adore
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
What Profit have those derived from learning, who worship not the good feet of Him who is possessed of pure knowledge ?
Tamil commentary
தூய அறிவு வடிவானவனின் திருவடிகளை வணங்காதவர், படித்ததனால் பெற்ற பயன்தான் என்ன?
Chapter 1
More from The Praise of God
கடவுள் வாழ்த்து
'A' leads letters; the Ancient Lord Leads and lords the entire world
Kural 2That lore is vain which does not fall At His good feet who knoweth all
Kural 3Long they live on earth who gain The feet of God in florid brain
Kural 4Who hold His feet who likes nor loathes Are free from woes of human births
Kural 5God's praise who tell, are free from right And wrong, the twins of dreaming night
Kural 6They prosper long who walk His way Who has the senses signed away
Kural 7His feet, whose likeness none can find, Alone can ease the anxious mind
Kural 8Who swims the sea of vice is he Who clasps the feet of Virtue's sea
Kural 9Like senses stale that head is vain Which bows not to Eight-Virtued Divine
Kural 10The sea of births they alone swim Who clench His feet and cleave to Him