Thirukkural 417 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பிழைத்துணர்ந்தும் பேதைமை சொல்லா ரிழைத்துணர்ந்
தீண்டிய கேள்வி யவர்.
Transliteration
Pizhaith Thunarndhum Pedhaimai Sollaa
Rizhaiththunarn Theentiya Kelvi Yavar
Modern English
“People who study and listen carefully do not speak foolishly, even when they may have misunderstood something; they pause and think.”
Modern Interpretation
People who study and listen carefully do not speak foolishly, even when they may have misunderstood something; they pause and think. For example, they say they need to check a rumour instead of repeating it as fact.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
People who study and listen carefully do not speak foolishly, even when they may have misunderstood something; they pause and think.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Who listen well and learn sharply Not ev'n by slip speak foolishly
G.U. Pope Translation
Not e'en through inadvertence speak they foolish word,With clear discerning mind who've learning's ample lessons heard
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Not even when they have imperfectly understood (a matter), will those men speak foolishly, who have profoundly studied and diligently listened (to instruction)
Tamil commentary
நுண்ணிதாக ஆராய்ந்து அறிந்து, கேள்வி ஞானத்தால் நிறைந்தவர், பிழைபட உணர்ந்தபோதும், அறிவற்ற சொற்களைச் சொல்லமாட்டார்.
Chapter 42
More from Hearing
கேள்வி
Wealth of wealths is listening's wealth It is the best of wealths on earth
Kural 412Some food for the stomach is brought When the ear gets no food for thought
Kural 413Whose ears get lots of wisdom-food Equal gods on oblations fed
Kural 414Though not learned, hear and heed That serves a staff and stay in need
Kural 415Virtuous men's wisdom is found A strong staff on slippery ground
Kural 416Lend ear to good words however few That much will highly exalt you
Kural 417Who listen well and learn sharply Not ev'n by slip speak foolishly
Kural 418That ear though hearing is dulled Which is not by wisdom drilled
Kural 419A modest mouth is hard for those Who care little to counsels wise
Kural 420Who taste by mouth and not by ear What if they fare ill or well here?