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புல்லறிவாண்மை: Ignorance
About this chapter
புல்லறிவாண்மை, ignorance (literally the rule of petty knowledge), follows chapter 84 and deals with a related fault: the person with a little knowledge who thinks it a great deal.
Kural 841 says lack of knowledge is the worst of all lacks, and that the world does not regard other lacks as lacks. Kural 842 notes that a fool giving cheerfully is nothing but the receiver's good fortune, and Kural 843 says fools torment themselves more than foes could. Kural 844 gives the definition: ignorance is the vanity of saying "we are wise". Kural 845 adds that pretending to know what one has not learned throws doubt even on what one does know. Kural 846 gives the best-known image, saying that to cover one's nakedness is folly if one's faults are left uncovered. Kurals 847 and 848 describe the fool who lets precious counsel slip, will not do as told, and will not find out himself. Kural 849 compares teaching such a person to showing something to a blind person who thinks he has seen it in his own way. Kural 850 ends with a harsh line: one who denies what the world accepts is counted a demon on earth.
Kural 844 and Kural 846 are the two to learn. Kural 846 reads as a plain reminder to work on one's faults before appearances.
For the syllabus, it fits universal values: humility, self-awareness and the willingness to learn.
The 10 kurals of புல்லறிவாண்மை
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.
அறிவின்மை இன்மையுள் இன்மை பிறிதின்மை
இன்மையா வையா துலகு.
Arivinmai Inmaiyul Inmai Piridhinmai
Inmaiyaa Vaiyaa Thulaku
Want of knowledge, 'mid all wants the sorest want we deem; Want of other things the world will not as want esteem
அறிவிலான் நெஞ்சுவந்து ஈதல் பிறிதியாதும்
இல்லை பெறுவான் தவம்.
Arivilaan Nenjuvandhu Eedhal Piridhiyaadhum
Illai Peruvaan Thavam
The gift of foolish man, with willing heart bestowed, is nought, But blessing by receiver's penance bought
அறிவிலார் தாந்தம்மைப் பீழிக்கும் பீழை
செறுவார்க்கும் செய்தல் அரிது.
Arivilaar Thaandhammaip Peezhikkum Peezhai
Seruvaarkkum Seydhal Aridhu
With keener anguish foolish men their own hearts wring, Than aught that even malice of their foes can bring
வெண்மை எனப்படுவ தியாதெனின் ஒண்மை
உடையம்யாம் என்னும் செருக்கு.
Venmai Enappatuva Thiyaadhenin Onmai
Utaiyamyaam Ennum Serukku
What is stupidity? The arrogance that cries,'Behold, we claim the glory of the wise.'
கல்லாத மேற்கொண் டொழுகல் கசடற
வல்லதூஉம் ஐயம் தரும்.
Kallaadha Merkon Tozhukal Kasatara
Valladhooum Aiyam Tharum
If men what they have never learned assume to know, Upon their real learning's power a doubt 'twill throw
அற்றம் மறைத்தலோ புல்லறிவு தம்வயின்
குற்றம் மறையா வழி.
Atram Maraiththalo Pullarivu Thamvayin
Kutram Maraiyaa Vazhi
Fools are they who their nakedness conceal, And yet their faults unveiled reveal
அருமறை சோரும் அறிவிலான் செய்யும்
பெருமிறை தானே தனக்கு.
Arumarai Sorum Arivilaan Seyyum
Perumirai Thaane Thanakku
From out his soul who lets the mystic teachings die, Entails upon himself abiding misery
ஏவவும் செய்கலான் தான்தேறான் அவ்வுயிர்
போஒம் அளவுமோர் நோய்.
Evavum Seykalaan Thaandheraan Avvuyir
Poom Alavumor Noi
Advised, he heeds not; of himself knows nothing wise; This man's whole life is all one plague until he dies
காணாதான் காட்டுவான் தான்காணான் காணாதான்
கண்டானாம் தான்கண்ட வாறு.
Kaanaadhaan Kaattuvaan Thaankaanaan Kaanaadhaan
Kantaanaam Thaankanta Vaaru
That man is blind to eyes that will not see who knowledge shows;-The blind man still in his blind fashion knows
உலகத்தார் உண்டென்பது இல்லென்பான் வையத்து
அலகையா வைக்கப் படும்.
Ulakaththaar Untenpadhu Illenpaan Vaiyaththu
Alakaiyaa Vaikkap Patum
Who what the world affirms as false proclaim, O'er all the earth receive a demon's name
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