Thirukkural 403 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கல்லா தவரும் நனிநல்லர் கற்றார்முன்
சொல்லா திருக்கப் பெறின்.
Transliteration
Kallaa Thavarum Naninallar Katraarmun
Sollaa Thirukkap Perin
Modern English
“Even someone without formal learning shows good judgment by listening quietly before knowledgeable people.”
Modern Interpretation
Even someone without formal learning shows good judgment by listening quietly before knowledgeable people. For example, a new volunteer can learn a great deal by watching experienced teammates before offering advice.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Even someone without formal learning shows good judgment by listening quietly before knowledgeable people.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Ev'n unread men are good and wise If before the wise, they hold their peace
G.U. Pope Translation
The blockheads, too, may men of worth appear,If they can keep from speaking where the learned hear
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The unlearned also are very excellent men, if they know how to keep silence before the learned
Tamil commentary
கற்றவர் அவையில் பேசாதிருந்தால் படிக்காதவரும் மிகநல்லவரே.
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