Thirukkural 395 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

உடையார்முன் இல்லார்போல் ஏக்கற்றுங் கற்றார்
கடையரே கல்லா தவர்.

Transliteration

Utaiyaarmun Illaarpol Ekkatrung Katraar
Kataiyare Kallaa Thavar

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

The unlearned are inferior to the learned, before whom they stand begging, as the destitute before the wealthy

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

With soul submiss they stand, as paupers front a rich man's face;Yet learned men are first; th'unlearned stand in lowest place

Plain-English Meaning

The unlearned are inferior to the learned, before whom they stand begging, as the destitute before the wealthy

செல்வர் முன்னே ஏழைகள் நிற்பது போல் ஆசிரியர் முன்னே, விரும்பிப் பணிந்து கற்றவரே உயர்ந்தவர்; அப்படி நின்று கற்க வெட்கப்பட்டுக் கல்லாதவர், இழிந்தவரே.

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