Thirukkural 844 in English

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

Tamil original

வெண்மை எனப்படுவ தியாதெனின் ஒண்மை
உடையம்யாம் என்னும் செருக்கு.

Transliteration

Venmai Enappatuva Thiyaadhenin Onmai
Utaiyamyaam Ennum Serukku

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

What is called want of wisdom is the vanity which says, "We are wise"

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

English Translation

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

G.U. Pope Translation

What is stupidity? The arrogance that cries,'Behold, we claim the glory of the wise.'

Plain-English Meaning

What is called want of wisdom is the vanity which says, "We are wise"

அறிவின்மை என்று சொல்லப்படுவது என்ன என்று கேட்டால், அது தம்மைத் தாமே நல அறிவு உடையவரென்று என்னும் மயக்கமே ஆகும்.

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