Thirukkural 397 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
யாதானும் நாடாமால் ஊராமால் என்னொருவன்
சாந்துணையுங் கல்லாத வாறு.
Transliteration
Yaadhaanum Naataamaal Ooraamaal Ennoruvan
Saandhunaiyung Kallaadha Vaaru
Modern English
“Learning helps a person feel at home in every country and town, so there is little reason to stop learning while life continues.”
Modern Interpretation
Learning helps a person feel at home in every country and town, so there is little reason to stop learning while life continues. For example, knowing other languages and customs can help someone make friends wherever they travel.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Learning helps a person feel at home in every country and town, so there is little reason to stop learning while life continues.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
All lands and towns are learner's own Why not till death learning go on!
G.U. Pope Translation
The learned make each land their own, in every city find a home;Who, till they die; learn nought, along what weary ways they roam
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
How is it that any one can remain without learning, even to his death, when (to the learned man) every country is his own (country), and every town his own (town) ?
Tamil commentary
கற்றவனுக்கு எல்லா நாடும் சொந்த நாடாம்; எல்லா ஊரும் சொந்த ஊராம். இதனைத் தெரிந்தும் ஒருவன் இறக்கும் வரை கூடப் படிக்காமல் இருப்பது ஏன்?
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