Thirukkural 419 in English

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

Tamil original

நுணங்கிய கேள்விய ரல்லார் வணங்கிய
வாயின ராதல் அரிது.

Transliteration

Nunangiya Kelviya Rallaar Vanangiya
Vaayina Raadhal Aridhu

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

It is a rare thing to find modesty, a reverend mouth- with those who have not received choice instruction

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

'Tis hard for mouth to utter gentle, modest word,When ears discourse of lore refined have never heard

Plain-English Meaning

It is a rare thing to find modesty, a reverend mouth- with those who have not received choice instruction

நுண்ணிய கேள்வி ஞானம் இல்லாதவர், பணிவுமிக்க சொற்களைப் பேசுபவராக ஆவது கடினம்.

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?