Thirukkural 402 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கல்லாதான் சொற்கா முறுதல் முலையிரண்டும்
இல்லாதாள் பெண்காமுற் றற்று.
Transliteration
Kallaadhaan Sorkaa Murudhal Mulaiyirantum
Illaadhaal Penkaamur Ratru
Modern English
“Wanting to speak confidently without first learning is like claiming a skill you have never practised.”
Modern Interpretation
Wanting to speak confidently without first learning is like claiming a skill you have never practised. For example, commenting on a group project without reading the instructions can make your confidence look empty.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Wanting to speak confidently without first learning is like claiming a skill you have never practised.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Unlearned man aspiring speech Is breastless lady's love-approach
G.U. Pope Translation
Like those who doat on hoyden's undeveloped charms are they,Of learning void, who eagerly their power of words display
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The desire of the unlearned to speak (in an assembly), is like a woman without breasts desiring (the enjoyment of ) woman-hood
Tamil commentary
படிக்காதவன் கற்றவர் அவையில் பேச ஆசைப்டுபடுவது, இரு முலையும் வளர்ச்சி பெறாத பெண் ஒருத்தி உடலுறவு கொள்ள ஆசைப்பட்டது போலாம்.
Chapter 41
More from Ignorance
கல்லாமை
Like play of chess on squareless board Vain is imperfect loreless word
Kural 402Unlearned man aspiring speech Is breastless lady's love-approach
Kural 403Ev'n unread men are good and wise If before the wise, they hold their peace
Kural 404The unread's wit though excellent Is not valued by the savant
Kural 405A man untaught when speech he vaunts Sadly fails before savants
Kural 406People speak of untaught minds \"They just exist like barren lands\"
Kural 407Like painted clay-doll is his show Grand subtle lore who fails to know
Kural 408Wealth in the hand of fools is worse Than a learned man's empty purse
Kural 409Lower are fools of higher birth Than low-born men of learning's worth
Kural 410Like beasts before men, dunces are Before scholars of shining lore