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Chapter 40 of 133Wealth

கல்வி

Learning

Read all ten original Tamil couplets from this chapter with clear, modern interpretations for everyday learning.

Kurals

391400

Reading

10 couplets

Section

பொருட்பால்

A simple reading path

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Tamil + modern meaning

Kural 391

1 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

கற்க கசடறக் கற்பவை கற்றபின்

நிற்க அதற்குத் தக.

Modern interpretation

Learn what is worth learning thoroughly, then let your actions match that knowledge. For example, someone who studies honesty but still cheats on an assignment has not truly lived by the lesson.

Read Kural 391 in full

Kural 392

2 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

எண்ணென்ப ஏனை எழுத்தென்ப இவ்விரண் டும்

கண்ணென்ப வாழும் உயிர்க்கு.

Modern interpretation

Reading and working with numbers are like two eyes: both help us understand the world clearly. For example, reading the terms of a loan and calculating its cost can prevent a serious mistake.

Read Kural 392 in full

Kural 393

3 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

கண்ணுடையர் என்பவர் கற்றோர் முகத்திரண்டு

புண்ணுடையர் கல்லா தவர்.

Modern interpretation

Learning is described as giving people eyes because it helps them notice and understand what is around them. For example, a person who learns to question evidence can see through a misleading advertisement more easily.

Read Kural 393 in full

Kural 394

4 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

உவப்பத் தலைக்கூடி உள்ளப் பிரிதல்

அனைத்தே புலவர் தொழில்.

Modern interpretation

A learned and gracious person makes others happy when they meet and leaves them glad to meet again. For example, a classmate who listens warmly and includes everyone is remembered with affection after the conversation ends.

Read Kural 394 in full

Kural 395

5 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

உடையார்முன் இல்லார்போல் ஏக்கற்றுங் கற்றார்

கடையரே கல்லா தவர்.

Modern interpretation

People who humbly seek learning rise above those who refuse to learn, just as the needy seek help from the wealthy. For example, asking a teacher to explain a difficult idea shows strength and opens the door to growth.

Read Kural 395 in full

Kural 396

6 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

தொட்டனைத் தூறும் மணற்கேணி மாந்தர்க்குக்

கற்றனைத் தூறும் அறிவு.

Modern interpretation

Knowledge grows with study just as water rises from a well as it is dug deeper. For example, practicing a language a little every day steadily gives someone more words and confidence.

Read Kural 396 in full

Kural 397

7 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

யாதானும் நாடாமால் ஊராமால் என்னொருவன்

சாந்துணையுங் கல்லாத வாறு.

Modern interpretation

Learning helps a person feel at home in every country and town, so there is little reason to stop learning while life continues. For example, knowing other languages and customs can help someone make friends wherever they travel.

Read Kural 397 in full

Kural 398

8 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

ஒருமைக்கண் தான் கற்ற கல்வி ஒருவற்கு

எழுமையும் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.

Modern interpretation

Learning gained in one life is described as a lasting benefit that continues through many births and generations. For example, a useful skill learned today can support a person for years and be passed on to their children.

Read Kural 398 in full

Kural 399

9 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

தாமின் புறுவது உலகின் புறக் கண்டு

காமுறுவர் கற்றறிந் தார்.

Modern interpretation

People who learn deeply want to keep learning when they see that their knowledge brings joy and benefit to others as well as to themselves. For example, a programmer may enjoy solving a problem even more after teaching the solution to the whole team.

Read Kural 399 in full

Kural 400

10 of 10

Tamil original · தமிழ்

கேடில் விழுச்செல்வம் கல்வி யொருவற்கு

மாடல்ல மற்றை யவை.

Modern interpretation

Learning is an enduring kind of wealth because it stays useful when possessions and circumstances change. For example, a practical skill can help someone rebuild after losing a job, while money alone may eventually run out.

Read Kural 400 in full