Chapter 42: Hearing

செல்வத்துட் செல்வஞ் செவிச்செல்வம் அச்செல்வம்
செல்வத்து ளெல்லாந் தலை.

Selvaththut Selvanj Chevichchelvam Achchelvam
Selvaththu Lellaan Thalai

Wealth of wealths is listening's wealth It is the best of wealths on earth

Meaning: Wealth (gained) by the ear is wealth of wealth; that wealth is the chief of all wealth

செவுக்குண வில்லாத போழ்து சிறிது
வயிற்றுக்கும் ஈயப் படும்.

Sevikkuna Villaadha Pozhdhu Siridhu
Vayitrukkum Eeyap Patum

Some food for the stomach is brought When the ear gets no food for thought

Meaning: When there is no food for the ear, give a little also to the stomach

செவியுணவிற் கேள்வி யுடையார் அவியுணவின்
ஆன்றாரோ டொப்பர் நிலத்து.

Seviyunavir Kelvi Yutaiyaar Aviyunavin
Aandraaro Toppar Nilaththu

Whose ears get lots of wisdom-food Equal gods on oblations fed

Meaning: Those who in this world enjoy instruction which is the food of the ear, are equal to the Gods, who enjoy the food of the sacrifices

கற்றில னாயினுங் கேட்க அஃதொருவற்கு
ஒற்கத்தின் ஊற்றாந் துணை.

Katrila Naayinung Ketka Aqdhoruvarku
Orkaththin Ootraan Thunai

Though not learned, hear and heed That serves a staff and stay in need

Meaning: Although a man be without learning, let him listen (to the teaching of the learned); that will be to him a staff in adversity

இழுக்கல் உடையுழி ஊற்றுக்கோல் அற்றே
ஒழுக்க முடையார்வாய்ச் சொல்.

Izhukkal Utaiyuzhi Ootrukkol Atre
Ozhukka Mutaiyaarvaaich Chol

Virtuous men's wisdom is found A strong staff on slippery ground

Meaning: The words of the good are like a staff in a slippery place

எனைத்தானும் நல்லவை கேட்க அனைத்தானும்
ஆன்ற பெருமை தரும்.

Enaiththaanum Nallavai Ketka Anaiththaanum
Aandra Perumai Tharum

Lend ear to good words however few That much will highly exalt you

Meaning: Let a man listen, never so little, to good (instruction), even that will bring him great dignity

பிழைத்துணர்ந்தும் பேதைமை சொல்லா ரிழைத்துணர்ந்
தீண்டிய கேள்வி யவர்.

Pizhaith Thunarndhum Pedhaimai Sollaa
Rizhaiththunarn Theentiya Kelvi Yavar

Who listen well and learn sharply Not ev'n by slip speak foolishly

Meaning: Not even when they have imperfectly understood (a matter), will those men speak foolishly, who have profoundly studied and diligently listened (to instruction)

கேட்பினுங் கேளாத் தகையவே கேள்வியால்
தோட்கப் படாத செவி.

Ketpinung Kelaath Thakaiyave Kelviyaal
Thotkap Pataadha Sevi

That ear though hearing is dulled Which is not by wisdom drilled

Meaning: The ear which has not been bored by instruction, although it hears, is deaf

நுணங்கிய கேள்விய ரல்லார் வணங்கிய
வாயின ராதல் அரிது.

Nunangiya Kelviya Rallaar Vanangiya
Vaayina Raadhal Aridhu

A modest mouth is hard for those Who care little to counsels wise

Meaning: It is a rare thing to find modesty, a reverend mouth- with those who have not received choice instruction

செவியிற் சுவையுணரா வாயுணர்வின் மாக்கள்
அவியினும் வாழினும் என்?

Seviyir Suvaiyunaraa Vaayunarvin Maakkal
Aviyinum Vaazhinum En?

Who taste by mouth and not by ear What if they fare ill or well here?

Meaning: What does it matter whether those men live or die, who can judge of tastes by the mouth, and not by the ear ?