Kural #724
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Tamil text
கல்லா தவரிற் கடையென்ப
கற்றறிந்தும் நல்லா ரவையஞ்சு வார்
Kallā tavariṉ kaṭaiyeṉpa
Kaṟṟaṟintum nallā ravaiyañcu vār
English translation
Those who, despite learning, fear to speak before a noble assembly are considered lower than the unlearned.
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Explanation
It is worse to have knowledge but lack the courage to share it than to be ignorant altogether. When learned individuals fear speaking in assemblies, their learning becomes useless, making them inferior even to those who never studied.
விளக்கம்
கற்றிருந்தும் நல்லோர் சபையில் பேச பயப்படுபவர், கல்லாதவரை விட தாழ்ந்தவர். கற்ற கல்வி பயனில்லாமல் போனால் என்ன பயன்? அவை அஞ்சாமை அதிகாரத்தில், தைரியமாக பேசும் திறனே முக்கியம் என்கிறது குறள்.
Word meanings
- கல்லாதவர்kallātavarthe unlearned
- இற்iṉthan
- கடைkaṭailower/inferior
- என்பeṉpaare called/said to be
- கற்றுkaṟṟuhaving learned
- அறிந்தும்aṟintumeven knowing
- நல்லார்nallārnoble/good people
- அவைavaiassembly
- அஞ்சுவார்añcuvārthose who fear
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers, Arun and Bala. Arun, though illiterate, possessed a sharp wit and practical wisdom, often advising the village elder. Bala, however, had spent years studying scrolls, yet trembled at the thought of public speaking. One day, a dispute arose over the village well. The elder called a meeting. Arun, without hesitation, presented a solution, drawing on his simple understanding of the land. His words, though unrefined, were clear and effective, and the villagers agreed. Bala, despite knowing the intricate laws regarding water rights, remained silent. He clutched his scrolls, his face flushed. He knew the answer, but fear held him captive. The villagers, unaware of Bala's knowledge, dismissed him as unhelpful. Later, Arun’s wisdom was praised, while Bala was seen as less valuable to the community than the unlettered Arun.