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

English Translation

“Letter, number, art and science Of living kind both are the eyes”

Plain-English meaning

Letters and numbers are the two eyes of man

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

Letters and numbers are the two eyes of man

வாழும் நல்லவர்க்கு அறிவியலும் கலைஇயலும் சிறந்த கண் என்று அறிந்தவர் கூறுவர்.

Chapter 40

கல்வி

Lore worth learning, learn flawlessly Live by that learning thoroughly

Letter, number, art and science Of living kind both are the eyes

The learned alone have eyes on face The ignorant two sores of disgrace

To meet with joy and part with thought Of learned men this is the art

Like poor before rich they yearn: For knowledge: the low never learn

As deep you dig the sand spring flows As deep you learn the knowledge grows

All lands and towns are learner's own Why not till death learning go on!

The joy of learning in one birth Exalts man upto his seventh

The learned foster learning more On seeing the world enjoy their lore

Learning is wealth none could destroy Nothing else gives genuine joy