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
Modern English
“Birth, status, or family name does not create the dignity that learning and character bring.”
Modern Interpretation
Birth, status, or family name does not create the dignity that learning and character bring. For example, a student from a modest background may earn greater respect through knowledge and fairness than a privileged student who has not prepared.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
Birth, status, or family name does not create the dignity that learning and character bring.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
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
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
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
Tamil commentary
படிக்காதவர் மேல்சாதியில் பிறந்திருந்தாலும், கீழ்சாதியில் பிறந்திருந்தும் படித்தவர் அளவிற்குப் பெருமை இல்லாதவரே.
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