Chapter 40: Learning

கற்க கசடறக் கற்பவை கற்றபின்
நிற்க அதற்குத் தக.

Karka Kasatarak Karpavai Katrapin
Nirka Adharkuth Thaka

Lore worth learning, learn flawlessly Live by that learning thoroughly

Meaning: Let a man learn thoroughly whatever he may learn, and let his conduct be worthy of his learning

எண்ணென்ப ஏனை எழுத்தென்ப இவ்விரண்டும்
கண்ணென்ப வாழும் உயிர்க்கு.

Ennenpa Enai Ezhuththenpa Ivvirantum
Kannenpa Vaazhum Uyirkku

Letter, number, art and science Of living kind both are the eyes

Meaning: Letters and numbers are the two eyes of man

கண்ணுடையர் என்பவர் கற்றோர் முகத்திரண்டு
புண்ணுடையர் கல்லா தவர்.

Kannutaiyar Enpavar Katror Mukaththirantu
Punnutaiyar Kallaa Thavar

The learned alone have eyes on face The ignorant two sores of disgrace

Meaning: The learned are said to have eyes, but the unlearned have (merely) two sores in their face

உவப்பத் தலைக்கூடி உள்ளப் பிரிதல்
அனைத்தே புலவர் தொழில்.

Uvappath Thalaikkooti Ullap Piridhal
Anaiththe Pulavar Thozhil

To meet with joy and part with thought Of learned men this is the art

Meaning: It is the part of the learned to give joy to those whom they meet, and on leaving, to make them think (Oh! when shall we meet them again.)

உடையார்முன் இல்லார்போல் ஏக்கற்றுங் கற்றார்
கடையரே கல்லா தவர்.

Utaiyaarmun Illaarpol Ekkatrung Katraar
Kataiyare Kallaa Thavar

Like poor before rich they yearn: For knowledge: the low never learn

Meaning: The unlearned are inferior to the learned, before whom they stand begging, as the destitute before the wealthy

தொட்டனைத் தூறும் மணற்கேணி மாந்தர்க்குக்
கற்றனைத் தூறும் அறிவு.

Thottanaith Thoorum Manarkeni Maandharkkuk
Katranaith Thoorum Arivu

As deep you dig the sand spring flows As deep you learn the knowledge grows

Meaning: Water will flow from a well in the sand in proportion to the depth to which it is dug, and knowledge will flow from a man in proportion to his learning

யாதானும் நாடாமால் ஊராமால் என்னொருவன்
சாந்துணையுங் கல்லாத வாறு.

Yaadhaanum Naataamaal Ooraamaal Ennoruvan
Saandhunaiyung Kallaadha Vaaru

All lands and towns are learner's own Why not till death learning go on!

Meaning: How is it that any one can remain without learning, even to his death, when (to the learned man) every country is his own (country), and every town his own (town) ?

ஒருமைக்கண் தான்கற்ற கல்வி ஒருவற்கு
எழுமையும் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.

Orumaikkan Thaan Katra Kalvi
Oruvarku Ezhumaiyum Emaap Putaiththu

The joy of learning in one birth Exalts man upto his seventh

Meaning: The learning, which a man has acquired in one birth, will yield him pleasure during seven births

தாமின் புறுவது உலகின் புறக்கண்டு
காமுறுவர் கற்றறிந் தார்.

Thaamin Puruvadhu Ulakin Purak
Kantu Kaamuruvar Katrarin Thaar

The learned foster learning more On seeing the world enjoy their lore

Meaning: The learned will long (for more learning), when they see that while it gives pleasure to themselves, the world also derives pleasure from it

கேடில் விழுச்செல்வம் கல்வி யொருவற்கு
மாடல்ல மற்றை யவை.

Ketil Vizhuchchelvam Kalvi Yoruvarku
Maatalla Matrai Yavai

Learning is wealth none could destroy Nothing else gives genuine joy

Meaning: Learning is the true imperishable riches; all other things are not riches