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

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

Although the natural knowledge of an unlearned man may be very good, the wise will not accept for true knowledge

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

Although the natural knowledge of an unlearned man may be very good, the wise will not accept for true knowledge

படித்தவர் முன் பேசினால் படிக்காதவரின் பெருமை குறைந்து போகும்.

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