குறள் 417
பிழைத் துணர்ந்தும் பேதைமை சொல்லா ரிழைத்துணர்ந்
தீண்டிய கேள்வி யவர்.
Stanza 417
Those who have sought and heard much
Will not talk nonsense even by mistake.
Meaning:
Not even when they have imperfectly understood (a matter), will those men speak foolishly, who have profoundly studied and diligently listened (to instruction).
Transliteration
Pizhaith Thunarndhum Pedhaimai Sollaa Rizhaiththunarn
Theentiya Kelvi Yavar.
குறள் 418
கேட்பினுங் கேளாத் தகையவே கேள்வியால்
தோட்கப் படாத செவி.
Stanza 418
The ear shut to learning
Though open is deaf.
Meaning:
The ear-which has not been bored by instruction, althouth it hears, is deaf.
Transliteration
Ketpinung Kelaath Thakaiyave Kelviyaal
Thotkap Pataadha Sevi.
குறள் 419
நுணங்கிய கேள்விய ரல்லார் வணங்கிய
வாயின ராதல் அரிது.
Stanza 419
Ears strange to refinement
Seldom go with modest mouths.
Meaning:
It is a rare thing to find modesty of speech, with those who have not received choice instruction.
Transliteration
Nunangiya Kelviya Rallaar Vanangiya
Vaayina Raadhal Aridhu.
குறள் 420
செவியிற் சுவையுணரா வாயுணர்வின் மாக்கள்
அவியினும் வாழினும் என்?
Stanza 420
What matters if they live or die
Whose taste is in their tongues not ears?
Meaning:
What does it matter whether those men live or die, who can judge of tastes by the mouth, and not by the ear?
Transliteration
Seviyir Suvaiyunaraa Vaayunarvin Maakkal
Aviyinum Vaazhinum En?
குறள் 395
உடையார்முன் இல்லார்போல் ஏக்கற்றுங் கற்றார்
கடையரே கல்லா தவர்.
Stanza 395
A scholar seeking knowledge stoops and is lofty;
The ignorant never stoop and are low.
குறள் 396
தொட்டனைத் தூறும் மணற்கேணி மாந்தர்க்குக்
கற்றனைத் தூறும் அறிவு.
Stanza 396
Well dug in sand yields water as dig-
So learning wisdom.
Meaning:
Water will flow froma 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.
குறள் 397
யாதானும் நாடாமால் ஊராமால் என்னொருவன்
சாந்துணையுங் கல்லாத வாறு.
Stanza 397
Why does one stop learning till he dies
When t makes all lands and places his?
Meaning:
How is it that anyone can remain without learning, even until his death, when (to the learned man) every country is his own (country), and every town his own (town)?
குறள் 398
ஒருமைக்கண் தான்கற்ற கல்வி ஒருவற்கு
எழுமையும் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.
Stanza 398
The learning acquired in one birth
Helps a man in seven.
Meaning:
A learning which a man has acquired in one birth will yield him pleasure during seven births.
குறள் 399
தாமின் புறுவது உலகின் புறக்கண்டு
காமுறுவர் கற்றறிந் தார்.
Stanza 399
That what delights him delights others
Delights a scholar.
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.
குறள் 400
கேடில் விழுச்செல்வம் கல்வி யொருவற்கு
மாடல்ல மற்றை யவை.
Stanza 400
The wealth which never declines
Is not riches but learning.
Meaning:
Learning is the true imperishable riches; all other things are not riches.