Thirukkural 841 in English

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

Tamil original

அறிவின்மை இன்மையுள் இன்மை பிறிதின்மை
இன்மையா வையா துலகு.

Transliteration

Arivinmai Inmaiyul Inmai Piridhinmai
Inmaiyaa Vaiyaa Thulaku

English Translation

“Want of wisdom is want of wants Want of aught else the world nev'r counts”

Plain-English meaning

The want of wisdom is the greatest of all wants; but that of wealth the world will not regard as such

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

Want of wisdom is want of wants Want of aught else the world nev'r counts

G.U. Pope Translation

Want of knowledge, 'mid all wants the sorest want we deem;Want of other things the world will not as want esteem

Plain-English Meaning

The want of wisdom is the greatest of all wants; but that of wealth the world will not regard as such

இல்லாமை பலவற்றுள்ளும் இல்லாமை, அறிவு இல்லாமல் இருத்தலே, பிற இல்லாமையைப் பெரியோர் இல்லாமையாகக் கருதமாட்டார்.

Chapter 85

புல்லறிவாண்மை

Want of wisdom is want of wants Want of aught else the world nev'r counts

When fool bestows with glee a gift It comes but by getter's merit

The self-torments of fools exceed Ev'n tortures of their foes indeed

Stupidity is vanity That cries \"We have sagacity\"

Feigning knowledge that one has not Leads to doubt ev'n that he has got

Fools their nakedness conceal And yet their glaring faults reveal

The fool that slights sacred counsels Upon himself great harm entails

He listens not nor himself knows Plague is his life until it goes

Sans Self-sight in vain one opens Sight To the blind who bet their sight as right

To people's \"Yes\" who proffer \"No\" Deemed as ghouls on earth they go