Kural #414
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
கற்றில னாயினும் கேட்க
அஃதொருவற்கு ஒற்கத்தின் ஊற்றாம் துணை
Kaṟṟila ṉāyiṉum kēṭka
Aḵtoruvaṟku oṟkattiṉ ūṟṟām tuṇai
English translation
Even if one has not learned, let them listen; that will be a staff of support when they stumble.
Listen
Explanation
For those who could not get formal education, listening to the wise becomes their lifeline. Knowledge gained by hearing serves as a walking stick that supports them when they falter in life.
விளக்கம்
கற்றுக் கொள்ள முடியாவிட்டாலும், நல்ல விஷயங்களைக் கேட்க வேண்டும். அது தடுமாறும் போது உதவும் ஊன்றுகோல் போலாகும். கேள்வி என்னும் அதிகாரத்தில், கேட்டறிவதால் வரும் நன்மை இது. அறிவு இல்லாவிட்டாலும், கேட்டல் அவசியம்.
Word meanings
- கற்றிலன்kaṟṟilaṉone who has not learned
- ஆயினும்āyiṉumeven if
- கேட்கkēṭkalet them listen
- அஃதுaḵtuthat
- ஒருவற்குoruvaṟkufor a person
- ஒற்கத்தின்oṟkattiṉwhen stumbling
- ஊற்றுūṟṟuspring/support
- ஆம்āmwill be
- துணைtuṇaistaff/support
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest lived a young shepherd named Arun. He spent his days watching over his flock, his mind often wandering to the tales told by the village elder, a wise woman named Maya. Arun never attended the village school, as his family needed him to work. One harsh winter, a blizzard swept through the valley, burying the paths and isolating the village. The villagers huddled in their homes, food supplies dwindling. Arun, remembering Maya's stories of survival, recalled how to locate underground springs. Following her instructions, he guided the villagers to a hidden source of fresh water. Then, remembering her lessons on edible plants, he helped them find roots and berries to supplement their meager rations. The villagers survived the harsh winter, thanks to Arun's quick thinking. They realized that though Arun had not been formally educated, he had learned the most important lessons.