Thirukkural 399 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
தாமின் புறுவது உலகின் புறக்கண்டு
காமுறுவர் கற்றறிந் தார்.
Transliteration
Thaamin Puruvadhu Ulakin Purak
Kantu Kaamuruvar Katrarin Thaar
Modern English
“People who learn deeply want to keep learning when they see that their knowledge brings joy and benefit to others as well as to themselves.”
Modern Interpretation
People who learn deeply want to keep learning when they see that their knowledge brings joy and benefit to others as well as to themselves. For example, a programmer may enjoy solving a problem even more after teaching the solution to the whole team.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People who learn deeply want to keep learning when they see that their knowledge brings joy and benefit to others as well as to themselves.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The learned foster learning more On seeing the world enjoy their lore
G.U. Pope Translation
Their joy is joy of all the world, they see; thus moreThe learners learn to love their cherished lore
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The learned will long (for more learning), when they see that while it gives pleasure to themselves, the world also derives pleasure from it
Tamil commentary
தம் மனத்தை மகிழ்விக்கும் கல்வியினால் உலகம் மகிழ்வதைக் கண்டு கற்று அறிந்தவர்கள் மேலும் கற்கவே விரும்புவார்கள்.
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