Chapter 41: Ignorance

அரங்கின்றி வட்டாடி யற்றே நிரம்பிய
நூலின்றிக் கோட்டி கொளல்.

Arangindri Vattaati Yatre Nirampiya
Noolindrik Kotti Kolal

Like play of chess on squareless board Vain is imperfect loreless word

Meaning: To speak in an assembly (of the learned) without fullness of knowledge, is like playing at chess (on a board) without squares

கல்லாதான் சொற்கா முறுதல் முலையிரண்டும்
இல்லாதாள் பெண்காமுற் றற்று.

Kallaadhaan Sorkaa Murudhal Mulaiyirantum
Illaadhaal Penkaamur Ratru

Unlearned man aspiring speech Is breastless lady's love-approach

Meaning: The desire of the unlearned to speak (in an assembly), is like a woman without breasts desiring (the enjoyment of ) woman-hood

கல்லா தவரும் நனிநல்லர் கற்றார்முன்
சொல்லா திருக்கப் பெறின்.

Kallaa Thavarum Naninallar Katraarmun
Sollaa Thirukkap Perin

Ev'n unread men are good and wise If before the wise, they hold their peace

Meaning: The unlearned also are very excellent men, if they know how to keep silence before the learned

கல்லாதான் ஒட்பம் கழியநன் றாயினும்
கொள்ளார் அறிவுடை யார்.

Kallaadhaan Otpam Kazhiyanan Raayinum
Kollaar Arivutai Yaar

The unread's wit though excellent Is not valued by the savant

Meaning: Although the natural knowledge of an unlearned man may be very good, the wise will not accept for true knowledge

கல்லா ஒருவன் தகைமை தலைப்பெய்து
சொல்லாடச் சோர்வு படும்.

Kallaa Oruvan Thakaimai Thalaippeydhu
Sollaatach Chorvu Patum

A man untaught when speech he vaunts Sadly fails before savants

Meaning: The self-conceit of an unlearned man will fade away, as soon as he speaks in an assembly (of

உளரென்னும் மாத்திரையர் அல்லால் பயவாக்
களரனையர் கல்லா தவர்.

Ularennum Maaththiraiyar Allaal Payavaak
Kalaranaiyar Kallaa Thavar

People speak of untaught minds \"They just exist like barren lands\"

Meaning: The unlearned are like worthless barren land: all that can be said of them is, that they exist

நுண்மாண் நுழைபுலம் இல்லான் எழில்நலம்
மண்மாண் புனைபாவை யற்று.

Nunmaan Nuzhaipulam Illaan Ezhilnalam
Manmaan Punaipaavai Yatru

Like painted clay-doll is his show Grand subtle lore who fails to know

Meaning: The beauty and goodness of one who is destitute of knowledge by the study of great and exquisite works, is like (the beauty and goodness) of a painted earthen doll

நல்லார்கண் பட்ட வறுமையின் இன்னாதே
கல்லார்கண் பட் ட திரு.

Nallaarkan Patta Varumaiyin Innaadhe
Kallaarkan Patta Thiru

Wealth in the hand of fools is worse Than a learned man's empty purse

Meaning: Wealth, gained by the unlearned, will give more sorrow than the poverty which may come upon the learned

மேற்பிறந்தா ராயினும் கல்லாதார் கீழ்ப்பிறந்தும்
கற்றார் அனைத்திலர் பாடு.

Merpirandhaa Raayinum Kallaadhaar Keezhppirandhum
Katraar Anaiththilar Paatu

Lower are fools of higher birth Than low-born men of learning's worth

Meaning: The unlearned, though born in a high caste, are not equal in dignity to the learned; though they may have been born in a low caste

விலங்கொடு மக்கள் அனையர் இலங்குநூல்
கற்றாரோடு ஏனை யவர்.

Vilangotu Makkal Anaiyar Ilangunool
Katraarotu Enai Yavar

Like beasts before men, dunces are Before scholars of shining lore

Meaning: As beasts by the side of men, so are other men by the side of those who are learned in celebrated works