Thirukkural 404 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கல்லாதான் ஒட்பம் கழியநன் றாயினும்
கொள்ளார் அறிவுடை யார்.
Transliteration
Kallaadhaan Otpam Kazhiyanan Raayinum
Kollaar Arivutai Yaar
Modern English
“Natural cleverness is valuable, but wise people also look for study, evidence, and practice before calling it knowledge.”
Modern Interpretation
Natural cleverness is valuable, but wise people also look for study, evidence, and practice before calling it knowledge. For example, a quick idea becomes trustworthy only after you test it and learn what the facts show.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Natural cleverness is valuable, but wise people also look for study, evidence, and practice before calling it knowledge.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
The unread's wit though excellent Is not valued by the savant
G.U. Pope Translation
From blockheads' lips, when words of wisdom glibly flow,The wise receive them not, though good they seem to show
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Although the natural knowledge of an unlearned man may be very good, the wise will not accept for true knowledge
Tamil commentary
படித்தவர் முன் பேசினால் படிக்காதவரின் பெருமை குறைந்து போகும்.
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