Thirukkural 418 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கேட்பினுங் கேளாத் தகையவே கேள்வியால்
தோட்கப் படாத செவி.
Transliteration
Ketpinung Kelaath Thakaiyave Kelviyaal
Thotkap Pataadha Sevi
Modern English
“Ears that hear sounds but refuse every useful lesson are effectively deaf.”
Modern Interpretation
Ears that hear sounds but refuse every useful lesson are effectively deaf. For example, someone who ignores a safety briefing may hear every word and still repeat the same avoidable mistake.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
Ears that hear sounds but refuse every useful lesson are effectively deaf.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
That ear though hearing is dulled Which is not by wisdom drilled
G.U. Pope Translation
Where teaching hath not oped the learner's ear,The man may listen, but he scarce can hear
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
The ear which has not been bored by instruction, although it hears, is deaf
Tamil commentary
கேள்வி ஞானத்தால் துளைக்கப்படாத செவிகள் ஓசைகளைக் கேட்டாலும் அவை செவிட்டுத் தன்மையவே.
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?