Kural #834
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Tamil text
ஓதி உணர்ந்தும் பிறர்க்குரைத்தும்
தானடங்காப் பேதையின் பேதையார் இல்
Ōti uṇarntum piṟakkuraitum
Tāṉaṭaṅkāp pētaiyiṉ pētaiyār il
English translation
There is no greater fool than one who reads, understands, teaches others, yet does not discipline himself.
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Explanation
The ultimate fool learns wisdom (ஓதி), understands it (உணர்ந்து), preaches to others (பிறர்க்கு உரைத்து), yet fails to practice it himself (தான் அடங்கா). Hypocrisy combined with knowledge is the worst form of folly.
விளக்கம்
பேதைமை அதிகாரத்தில் வரும் இக்குறள், கற்றும் உணர்ந்தும் பிறருக்குச் சொல்லியும் தன்னைத் திருத்திக் கொள்ளாதவன் பெரிய முட்டாள் என்கிறது. அவன் அறிவு இருந்தும் பயனில்லை. தன்னை அடக்காதவன் பேதைமையின் உச்சத்தில் இருக்கிறான்.
Word meanings
- ஓதிōtihaving studied
- உணர்ந்துuṇarntuhaving understood
- பிறர்க்குpiṟarkkuto others
- உரைத்தும்uraittumeven teaching
- தான்tāṉoneself
- அடங்காaṭaṅkānot disciplining
- பேதையின்pētaiyiṉthan fool
- பேதையார்pētaiyārbigger fool
- இல்ilthere is not
Story behind this kural
In a sun-drenched village nestled beside a whispering river, lived a renowned elder named Thiru. He was known for his wise pronouncements and eloquent lectures on living a virtuous life. Villagers flocked to him, eager to hear his insights on honesty, kindness, and humility. One day, a merchant, swayed by Thiru's words, sought his counsel on overcoming greed. Thiru spoke passionately, describing the peace found in contentment. He warned against the corrosive nature of avarice. The merchant, deeply moved, vowed to change. Yet, as the days turned into weeks, the villagers observed a different Thiru. They saw him haggling fiercely in the marketplace, demanding the lowest prices, and hoarding his wealth. His home grew grander, his clothes finer, but his spirit seemed to shrink. The merchant, disillusioned, quietly returned to his old ways. Thiru continued to preach, but the river seemed to mock his empty words as it flowed relentlessly onward.