Thirukkural 410 in English

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

Tamil original

விலங்கொடு மக்கள் அனையர் இலங்குநூல்
கற்றாரோடு ஏனை யவர்.

Transliteration

Vilangotu Makkal Anaiyar Ilangunool
Katraarotu Enai Yavar

English Translation

“Like beasts before men, dunces are Before scholars of shining lore”

Plain-English meaning

As beasts by the side of men, so are other men by the side of those who are learned in celebrated works

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Like beasts before men, dunces are Before scholars of shining lore

G.U. Pope Translation

Learning's irradiating grace who gain,Others excel, as men the bestial train

Plain-English Meaning

As beasts by the side of men, so are other men by the side of those who are learned in celebrated works

விலங்கை நோக்க மக்கள் எவ்வளவு வேறுபட்டவரோ, சிறந்த நூலைக் கற்றவரை நோக்கக் கல்லாதவர் அவ்வளவு வேறுபட்டவர்.

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