Thirukkural 405 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

கல்லா ஒருவன் தகைமை தலைப்பெய்து
சொல்லாடச் சோர்வு படும்.

Transliteration

Kallaa Oruvan Thakaimai Thalaippeydhu
Sollaatach Chorvu Patum

English Translation

“A man untaught when speech he vaunts Sadly fails before savants”

Plain-English meaning

The self-conceit of an unlearned man will fade away, as soon as he speaks in an assembly (of

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

A man untaught when speech he vaunts Sadly fails before savants

G.U. Pope Translation

As worthless shows the worth of man unlearned,When council meets, by words he speaks discerned

Plain-English Meaning

The self-conceit of an unlearned man will fade away, as soon as he speaks in an assembly (of

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