Kural #727
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Tamil text
கற்றது கைமண் அளவாதல்
கற்றறிந்தும் பேதைமை பேதாமையானு
Kaṟṟatu kaimaṇ aḷavātal
Kaṟṟaṟintum pētaimai pētāmaiyāṉu
English translation
Learning becomes as useless as a handful of sand when one acts foolishly despite being learned, due to lack of courage.
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Explanation
No matter how much one has studied, if fear prevents them from speaking confidently, their knowledge is worthless - like holding a handful of sand that slips away. True wisdom requires the courage to express it.
விளக்கம்
கற்றதைச் சொல்ல அஞ்சினால், அது பயனற்றது. கற்றிருந்தும் தைரியம் இல்லாவிட்டால், அந்த அறிவு மணல் போல வீணாகும். அவை அஞ்சாமை அதிகாரத்தில், தைரியமாகப் பேசும் திறனே முக்கியம் என வள்ளுவர் கூறுகிறார்.
Word meanings
- கற்றதுkaṟṟatuwhat is learned
- கைமண்kaimaṇhandful of sand
- அளவுaḷavumeasure/amount
- ஆதல்ātalbecoming
- கற்றுkaṟṟuhaving learned
- அறிந்தும்aṟintumeven knowing
- பேதைமைpētaimaifoolishness/ignorance
- பேதாமைpētāmailack of wisdom
- ஆன்āṉbecause of
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two scholars, Arun and Bala. Both had studied the ancient texts for years, amassing vast knowledge. One day, the village elder announced a contest to solve a complex riddle, promising a reward of gold. Arun, despite knowing the answer, trembled. His voice shook as he spoke, his words lost in a mumble. He feared the judgment of the crowd. Bala, though equally knowledgeable, stepped forward with confidence. His words, clear and strong, resonated through the village square. He presented the solution with conviction, his eyes sparkling with assurance. The villagers, captivated by Bala’s clarity, declared him the winner. Arun, though possessing the correct answer, watched the gold be handed over. He returned home with his head bowed, the weight of his knowledge heavy upon him, like a useless pile of sand.