Thirukkural 391 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கற்க கசடறக் கற்பவை கற்றபின்
நிற்க அதற்குத் தக.
Transliteration
Karka Kasatarak Karpavai Katrapin
Nirka Adharkuth Thaka
Modern English
“Learn what is worth learning thoroughly, then let your actions match that knowledge.”
Modern Interpretation
Learn what is worth learning thoroughly, then let your actions match that knowledge. For example, someone who studies honesty but still cheats on an assignment has not truly lived by the lesson.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Learn what is worth learning thoroughly, then let your actions match that knowledge.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Lore worth learning, learn flawlessly Live by that learning thoroughly
G.U. Pope Translation
So learn that you may full and faultless learning gain,Then in obedience meet to lessons learnt remain
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Let a man learn thoroughly whatever he may learn, and let his conduct be worthy of his learning
Tamil commentary
கற்கத் தகும் நூல்களைப் பிழை இல்லாமல் கற்க; கற்ற பிறகு கற்ற கல்விக்கு ஏற்ப நல்ல வழிகளில் வாழ்க.
Chapter 40
More from Learning
கல்வி
Lore worth learning, learn flawlessly Live by that learning thoroughly
Kural 392Letter, number, art and science Of living kind both are the eyes
Kural 393The learned alone have eyes on face The ignorant two sores of disgrace
Kural 394To meet with joy and part with thought Of learned men this is the art
Kural 395Like poor before rich they yearn: For knowledge: the low never learn
Kural 396As deep you dig the sand spring flows As deep you learn the knowledge grows
Kural 397All lands and towns are learner's own Why not till death learning go on!
Kural 398The joy of learning in one birth Exalts man upto his seventh
Kural 399The learned foster learning more On seeing the world enjoy their lore
Kural 400Learning is wealth none could destroy Nothing else gives genuine joy