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
Modern English
“People who humbly seek learning rise above those who refuse to learn, just as the needy seek help from the wealthy.”
Modern Interpretation
People who humbly seek learning rise above those who refuse to learn, just as the needy seek help from the wealthy. For example, asking a teacher to explain a difficult idea shows strength and opens the door to growth.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People who humbly seek learning rise above those who refuse to learn, just as the needy seek help from the wealthy.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The unlearned are inferior to the learned, before whom they stand begging, as the destitute before the wealthy
Tamil commentary
செல்வர் முன்னே ஏழைகள் நிற்பது போல் ஆசிரியர் முன்னே, விரும்பிப் பணிந்து கற்றவரே உயர்ந்தவர்; அப்படி நின்று கற்க வெட்கப்பட்டுக் கல்லாதவர், இழிந்தவரே.
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