Kural #823
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
பலநல்ல கற்றக் கடைத்து
மனநல்லர் ஆகுதல் மாணார்க்கு அரிது
Palanalla kaṟṟak kaṭaittu
Maṉanallar ākutal māṇārkku aritu
English translation
Even if they have learned many good things, it is difficult for the ignoble to become good-hearted.
Listen
Explanation
Learning and education (பல நல்ல கற்ற) cannot transform an ignoble person (மாணார்) into someone truly good-hearted (மனநல்லர்). External knowledge cannot change inherent character. This warns against trusting the learned but corrupt.
விளக்கம்
பல நல்ல விஷயங்களைக் கற்றாலும், கெட்ட குணம் உள்ளவர்கள் மனம் திருந்துவது கடினம். கூடா நட்பு அதிகாரத்தில், கெட்டவர்களுடன் நட்பு வேண்டாம் என்கிறது குறள். படிப்பு மட்டும் நல்ல மனதை உருவாக்காது. நல்ல குணம் முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- பலpalamany
- நல்லnallagood things
- கற்றkaṟṟahaving learned
- கடைத்துkaṭaittueven at the end
- மனம்maṉammind/heart
- நல்லர்nallargood persons
- ஆகுதல்ākutalbecoming
- மாணார்māṇārthe ignoble
- அரிதுaritudifficult
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived two men: Thiru, the scholar, and Kumar, the farmer. Thiru possessed knowledge of countless texts, reciting poetry and debating philosophy with impressive skill. Kumar, though unlettered, possessed a kind heart and a helping hand for all. One harsh winter, a famine struck. The villagers, desperate, turned to Thiru for guidance. He quoted ancient wisdom on survival, yet hoarded his grain, offering only complex advice. Kumar, however, shared his meager stores, working tirelessly to help others. He organized the community, sharing knowledge of hidden water sources and building shelters. As spring arrived, and the land bloomed again, the villagers prospered. Thiru, still surrounded by his books, remained isolated. Kumar, his hands calloused from work, was surrounded by friends. They understood where true wealth resided.