Thirukkural 414 in English

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

Tamil original

கற்றில னாயினுங் கேட்க அஃதொருவற்கு
ஒற்கத்தின் ஊற்றாந் துணை.

Transliteration

Katrila Naayinung Ketka Aqdhoruvarku
Orkaththin Ootraan Thunai

English Translation

“Though not learned, hear and heed That serves a staff and stay in need”

Plain-English meaning

Although a man be without learning, let him listen (to the teaching of the learned); that will be to him a staff in adversity

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

Though not learned, hear and heed That serves a staff and stay in need

G.U. Pope Translation

Though learning none hath he, yet let him hear alway:In weakness this shall prove a staff and stay

Plain-English Meaning

Although a man be without learning, let him listen (to the teaching of the learned); that will be to him a staff in adversity

கல்லாதவனே என்றாலும் கற்றவர் கூறும் சிறந்த செய்திகளைக் கேட்க வேண்டும்; அப்படிக் கேட்பது அவனுக்கு நெருக்கடி வரும்போது பிடிப்பதற்கு ஏற்ற துணையாக உதவும்.

Chapter 42

கேள்வி

Wealth of wealths is listening's wealth It is the best of wealths on earth

Some food for the stomach is brought When the ear gets no food for thought

Whose ears get lots of wisdom-food Equal gods on oblations fed

Though not learned, hear and heed That serves a staff and stay in need

Virtuous men's wisdom is found A strong staff on slippery ground

Lend ear to good words however few That much will highly exalt you

Who listen well and learn sharply Not ev'n by slip speak foolishly

That ear though hearing is dulled Which is not by wisdom drilled

A modest mouth is hard for those Who care little to counsels wise

Who taste by mouth and not by ear What if they fare ill or well here?