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

English Translation

“Unlearned man aspiring speech Is breastless lady's love-approach”

Plain-English meaning

The desire of the unlearned to speak (in an assembly), is like a woman without breasts desiring (the enjoyment of ) woman-hood

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

The desire of the unlearned to speak (in an assembly), is like a woman without breasts desiring (the enjoyment of ) woman-hood

படிக்காதவன் கற்றவர் அவையில் பேச ஆசைப்டுபடுவது, இரு முலையும் வளர்ச்சி பெறாத பெண் ஒருத்தி உடலுறவு கொள்ள ஆசைப்பட்டது போலாம்.

Chapter 41

கல்லாமை

Like play of chess on squareless board Vain is imperfect loreless word

Unlearned man aspiring speech Is breastless lady's love-approach

Ev'n unread men are good and wise If before the wise, they hold their peace

The unread's wit though excellent Is not valued by the savant

A man untaught when speech he vaunts Sadly fails before savants

People speak of untaught minds \"They just exist like barren lands\"

Like painted clay-doll is his show Grand subtle lore who fails to know

Wealth in the hand of fools is worse Than a learned man's empty purse

Lower are fools of higher birth Than low-born men of learning's worth

Like beasts before men, dunces are Before scholars of shining lore