Kural 421Chapter 43: The Possession of Knowledge

Thirukkural 421 in English

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

Tamil original

அறிவற்றங் காக்குங் கருவி செறுவார்க்கும்
உள்ளழிக்க லாகா அரண்.

Transliteration

Arivatrang Kaakkung Karuvi Seruvaarkkum
Ullazhikka Laakaa Aran

Modern English

“Wisdom protects you like an inner fortress: it can prevent harm and cannot easily be taken away by an opponent.”

Modern Interpretation

Wisdom protects you like an inner fortress: it can prevent harm and cannot easily be taken away by an opponent. For example, knowing how to check a suspicious message can protect you from an online scam.

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Tamil pronunciation

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Modern Plain English

Wisdom protects you like an inner fortress: it can prevent harm and cannot easily be taken away by an opponent.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

Wisdom's weapon wards off all woes It is a fort defying foes

G.U. Pope Translation

True wisdom wards off woes, A circling fortress high;Its inner strength man's eager foes Unshaken will defy

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

Wisdom is a weapon to ward off destruction; it is an inner fortress which enemies cannot destroy

Tamil commentary

அறிவு நமக்கு அழிவு வராமல் காக்கும் ஆயுதம், பகைவராலும் அழிக்க முடியாத உட்கோட்டை.

Chapter 43

More from The Possession of Knowledge

அறிவுடைமை

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Kural 421

Wisdom's weapon wards off all woes It is a fort defying foes

Kural 422

Wisdom checks the straying senses Expels evils, impels goodness

Kural 423

To grasp the Truth from everywhere From everyone is wisdom fair

Kural 424

Speaking out thoughts in clear trends Wisdom subtle sense comprehends

Kural 425

The wise-world the wise befriend They bloom nor gloom, equal in mind

Kural 426

As moves the world so move the wise In tune with changing times and ways

Kural 427

The wise foresee what is to come The unwise lack in that wisdom

Kural 428

Fear the frightful and act wisely Not to fear the frightful's folly

Kural 429

No frightful evil shocks the wise Who guard themselves against surprise

Kural 430

Who have wisdom they are all full Whatev'r they own, misfits are nil