Kural #845
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Tamil text
கல்லாத மேற்கொண் டொழுகல்
கசடற வல்லதூஉம் ஐயம் தரும்
Kallāta mēṟkoṇ ṭoḻukal
Kacaṭaṟa vallatūum aiyam tarum
English translation
Pretending to know what one has not learned will cast doubt even on what one truly knows.
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Explanation
When someone pretends expertise (மேற்கொண்டொழுகல்) in unlearned matters (கல்லாத), even their genuine knowledge (கசடற வல்லது) becomes suspect (ஐயம் தரும்). Pretension undermines all credibility.
விளக்கம்
கல்லாததை அறிந்ததாகக் காட்டிக்கொண்டால், உண்மையாக அறிந்ததும் சந்தேகிக்கப்படும். "புல்லறிவாண்மை" அதிகாரத்தில், அறியாமையை மறைக்க முயல்வது ஆபத்தானது என்கிறது குறள். எனவே, தெரியாததை தெரியாது என்று சொல்வதே நல்லது.
Word meanings
- கல்லாதkallātanot learned
- மேற்கொண்டுmēṟkoṇṭuundertaking/pretending
- ஒழுகல்oḻukalbehaving
- கசடுkacaṭuflaw/impurity
- அறaṟawithout
- வல்லதுvallatuthat which is capable
- ஐயம்aiyamdoubt
- தரும்tarumgives
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a woodcutter named Tharan. He was known for his strong arms and honest work. One day, a traveling merchant arrived, displaying intricate maps and claiming knowledge of distant lands. Tharan, though he could barely read, pretended to understand the merchant's complex charts. He nodded sagely, offering comments that were both incorrect and boastful. Later, the village elder needed help deciphering a simple message left by a lost traveler. Tharan, usually skilled at finding tracks in the forest, offered his assistance. However, the elder hesitated. Remembering Tharan’s earlier pretense, he doubted his ability, even in this area of his true expertise. Another villager, known for her quiet observation and genuine understanding of the forest, was instead asked for her aid. She quickly solved the puzzle, while Tharan stood by, humbled.