Thirukkural 409 in English

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

Tamil original

மேற்பிறந்தா ராயினும் கல்லாதார் கீழ்ப்பிறந்தும்
கற்றார் அனைத்திலர் பாடு.

Transliteration

Merpirandhaa Raayinum Kallaadhaar Keezhppirandhum
Katraar Anaiththilar Paatu

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

The unlearned, though born in a high caste, are not equal in dignity to the learned; though they may have been born in a low caste

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

Lower are men unlearned, though noble be their race,Than low-born men adorned with learning's grace

Plain-English Meaning

The unlearned, though born in a high caste, are not equal in dignity to the learned; though they may have been born in a low caste

படிக்காதவர் மேல்சாதியில் பிறந்திருந்தாலும், கீழ்சாதியில் பிறந்திருந்தும் படித்தவர் அளவிற்குப் பெருமை இல்லாதவரே.

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