Kural #395
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Tamil text
உடையார்முன் இல்லார்போல் ஏக்கற்றும் கற்றார்
கடையரே கல்லா தவர்
Uṭaiyārmuṉ illārpōl ēkkaṟṟum kaṟṟār
Kaṭaiyarē kallā tavar
English translation
Even if the learned humble themselves before others like the poor before the rich, the unlearned remain inferior.
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Explanation
The learned may show humility (ஏக்கற்று) before those with knowledge, like the poor before the wealthy. Even so, the unlearned are still கடையர் (lowest/inferior). Humility doesn't diminish the learned; ignorance always diminishes.
விளக்கம்
செல்வம் உடையவர் முன் இல்லாதவர் பணிவது போல், கற்றவர் பணிந்தாலும், கல்லாதவர் தாழ்ந்தவரே. கல்வி அதிகாரத்தில், கற்கும் பணிவு கற்றோரை உயர்த்தும்; கல்லாமை தாழ்த்தும். அறிவுடைமை எப்போதும் உயர்வே தரும்.
Word meanings
- உடையார்uṭaiyārthose who have (wealth)
- முன்muṉbefore
- இல்லார்illārthose without
- போல்pōllike
- ஏக்கற்றும்ēkkaṟṟumhumbling/yearning
- கற்றார்kaṟṟārthe learned
- கடையரேkaṭaiyarēare inferior
- கல்லாதவர்kallātavarthe unlearned
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two men: Thiru, a humble scholar, and Arul, a wealthy merchant. Thiru, though wise in the ways of the world, often sought Arul's counsel on matters of trade, listening intently and showing respect. Arul, pleased by Thiru's deference, would readily share his knowledge of markets and profits. Meanwhile, Kumar, a villager known for his stubborn pride, refused to learn from anyone. He scoffed at Thiru’s humility, declaring it a sign of weakness. Kumar, despite his bluster, struggled to make ends meet. He envied Arul's success, yet refused to listen to anyone's advice. One year, a great drought struck. Arul, using his knowledge, anticipated the scarcity and stored grain, later selling it at a fair price. Thiru, learning from Arul, managed his resources wisely. Kumar, however, lost everything. He remained, always, at the bottom.