Thirukkural 392 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
எண்ணென்ப ஏனை எழுத்தென்ப இவ்விரண்டும்
கண்ணென்ப வாழும் உயிர்க்கு.
Transliteration
Ennenpa Enai Ezhuththenpa Ivvirantum
Kannenpa Vaazhum Uyirkku
Modern English
“Reading and working with numbers are like two eyes: both help us understand the world clearly.”
Modern Interpretation
Reading and working with numbers are like two eyes: both help us understand the world clearly. For example, reading the terms of a loan and calculating its cost can prevent a serious mistake.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Reading and working with numbers are like two eyes: both help us understand the world clearly.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Letter, number, art and science Of living kind both are the eyes
G.U. Pope Translation
The twain that lore of numbers and of letters giveAre eyes, the wise declare, to all on earth that live
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Letters and numbers are the two eyes of man
Tamil commentary
வாழும் நல்லவர்க்கு அறிவியலும் கலைஇயலும் சிறந்த கண் என்று அறிந்தவர் கூறுவர்.
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