Chapter 85: Ignorance

அறிவின்மை இன்மையுள் இன்மை பிறிதின்மை
இன்மையா வையா துலகு.

Arivinmai Inmaiyul Inmai Piridhinmai
Inmaiyaa Vaiyaa Thulaku

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

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

அறிவிலான் நெஞ்சுவந்து ஈதல் பிறிதியாதும்
இல்லை பெறுவான் தவம்.

Arivilaan Nenjuvandhu Eedhal Piridhiyaadhum
Illai Peruvaan Thavam

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

Meaning: (The cause of) a fool cheerfully giving (something) is nothing else but the receiver's merit (in a former birth)

அறிவிலார் தாந்தம்மைப் பீழிக்கும் பீழை
செறுவார்க்கும் செய்தல் அரிது.

Arivilaar Thaandhammaip Peezhikkum Peezhai
Seruvaarkkum Seydhal Aridhu

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

Meaning: The suffering that fools inflict upon themselves is hardly possible even to foes

வெண்மை எனப்படுவ தியாதெனின் ஒண்மை
உடையம்யாம் என்னும் செருக்கு.

Venmai Enappatuva Thiyaadhenin Onmai
Utaiyamyaam Ennum Serukku

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

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

கல்லாத மேற்கொண் டொழுகல் கசடற
வல்லதூஉம் ஐயம் தரும்.

Kallaadha Merkon Tozhukal Kasatara
Valladhooum Aiyam Tharum

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

Meaning: Fools pretending to know what has not been read (by them) will rouse suspicion even as to what they have thoroughly mastered

அற்றம் மறைத்தலோ புல்லறிவு தம்வயின்
குற்றம் மறையா வழி.

Atram Maraiththalo Pullarivu Thamvayin
Kutram Maraiyaa Vazhi

Fools their nakedness conceal And yet their glaring faults reveal

Meaning: Even to cover one's nakedness would be folly, if (one's) faults were not covered (by forsaking them)

அருமறை சோரும் அறிவிலான் செய்யும்
பெருமிறை தானே தனக்கு.

Arumarai Sorum Arivilaan Seyyum
Perumirai Thaane Thanakku

The fool that slights sacred counsels Upon himself great harm entails

Meaning: The fool who neglects precious counsel does, of his own accord, a great injury to himself

ஏவவும் செய்கலான் தான்தேறான் அவ்வுயிர்
போஒம் அளவுமோர் நோய்.

Evavum Seykalaan Thaandheraan Avvuyir
Poom Alavumor Noi

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

Meaning: The fool will not perform (his duties) even when advised nor ascertain them himself; such a soul is a

காணாதான் காட்டுவான் தான்காணான் காணாதான்
கண்டானாம் தான்கண்ட வாறு.

Kaanaadhaan Kaattuvaan Thaankaanaan Kaanaadhaan
Kantaanaam Thaankanta Vaaru

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

Meaning: One who would teach a fool will (simply) betray his folly; and the fool would (still) think himself "wise in his own conceit"

உலகத்தார் உண்டென்பது இல்லென்பான் வையத்து
அலகையா வைக்கப் படும்.

Ulakaththaar Untenpadhu Illenpaan Vaiyaththu
Alakaiyaa Vaikkap Patum

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

Meaning: He who denies the existence of what the world believes in will be regarded as a demon on earth