PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · அரசியல்
கல்லாமை: Ignorance
About this chapter
கல்லாமை, ignorance, is the counterpart of the chapter on learning. It describes the unlearned through a sharp run of comparisons and ends by placing learning above birth and wealth.
Kural 401 compares speaking before the learned without enough learning to playing a board game without the board. Kural 402 uses a blunt simile for the unlearned who are keen to speak. Kural 403 adds that even the unlearned are fine people if they keep silent before the learned, and Kural 404 says the wise do not accept even a good idea from one who has not learned. Kural 405 notes that the self-importance of the unlearned collapses once they begin to speak in an assembly. Kural 406 calls them barren land, of whom all that can be said is that they exist, and Kural 407 likens the beauty of one without knowledge to a painted clay doll. Kural 408 holds that wealth in the hands of the unlearned brings more sorrow than poverty does to the learned. Kural 409 states that the unlearned, even of high birth, rank below the learned of low birth, and Kural 410 sets the unlearned beside the learned as beasts beside men.
Kural 409 is the most useful, because it ranks learning above birth. Kural 406 is the sharpest image.
For the syllabus, the chapter fits universal values.
The 10 kurals of கல்லாமை
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
அரங்கின்றி வட்டாடி யற்றே நிரம்பிய
நூலின்றிக் கோட்டி கொளல்.
Arangindri Vattaati Yatre Nirampiya
Noolindrik Kotti Kolal
Like those at draughts would play without the chequered square, Men void of ample lore would counsels of the learned share
கல்லாதான் சொற்கா முறுதல் முலையிரண்டும்
இல்லாதாள் பெண்காமுற் றற்று.
Kallaadhaan Sorkaa Murudhal Mulaiyirantum
Illaadhaal Penkaamur Ratru
Like those who doat on hoyden's undeveloped charms are they, Of learning void, who eagerly their power of words display
கல்லா தவரும் நனிநல்லர் கற்றார்முன்
சொல்லா திருக்கப் பெறின்.
Kallaa Thavarum Naninallar Katraarmun
Sollaa Thirukkap Perin
The blockheads, too, may men of worth appear, If they can keep from speaking where the learned hear
கல்லாதான் ஒட்பம் கழியநன் றாயினும்
கொள்ளார் அறிவுடை யார்.
Kallaadhaan Otpam Kazhiyanan Raayinum
Kollaar Arivutai Yaar
From blockheads' lips, when words of wisdom glibly flow, The wise receive them not, though good they seem to show
கல்லா ஒருவன் தகைமை தலைப்பெய்து
சொல்லாடச் சோர்வு படும்.
Kallaa Oruvan Thakaimai Thalaippeydhu
Sollaatach Chorvu Patum
As worthless shows the worth of man unlearned, When council meets, by words he speaks discerned
உளரென்னும் மாத்திரையர் அல்லால் பயவாக்
களரனையர் கல்லா தவர்.
Ularennum Maaththiraiyar Allaal Payavaak
Kalaranaiyar Kallaa Thavar
'They are': so much is true of men untaught; But, like a barren field, they yield us nought
நுண்மாண் நுழைபுலம் இல்லான் எழில்நலம்
மண்மாண் புனைபாவை யற்று.
Nunmaan Nuzhaipulam Illaan Ezhilnalam
Manmaan Punaipaavai Yatru
Who lack the power of subtle, large, and penetrating sense, Like puppet, decked with ornaments of clay, their beauty's vain pretence
நல்லார்கண் பட்ட வறுமையின் இன்னாதே
கல்லார்கண் பட் ட திரு.
Nallaarkan Patta Varumaiyin Innaadhe
Kallaarkan Patta Thiru
To men unlearned, from fortune's favour greater-evil springsThan poverty to men of goodly wisdom brings
மேற்பிறந்தா ராயினும் கல்லாதார் கீழ்ப்பிறந்தும்
கற்றார் அனைத்திலர் பாடு.
Merpirandhaa Raayinum Kallaadhaar Keezhppirandhum
Katraar Anaiththilar Paatu
Lower are men unlearned, though noble be their race, Than low-born men adorned with learning's grace
விலங்கொடு மக்கள் அனையர் இலங்குநூல்
கற்றாரோடு ஏனை யவர்.
Vilangotu Makkal Anaiyar Ilangunool
Katraarotu Enai Yavar
Learning's irradiating grace who gain, Others excel, as men the bestial train
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