Following is the translation of Thirukkural, a discourse on ethics, its author is Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar who lived around 3rd Century. It’s translation is done by Mr. NV Subbaraman, he lives in Chennai.

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அரங்கு இன்றி வட்டுஆடி யற்றே நிரம்பிய

நூல் இன்றி கொட்டிக் கொளல்

Pronunciation

Aranguindri vattuaadi yatrae nirambiya

Noolindri kottik koLal.

Translation

Sans learning, desire

To speak in an assembly

Is like chess- play sans board!

Comment

One’s attempt to speak in the assembly of the learned without learning anything worthwhile by reading the books, is like a person trying to play chess without a chess board.

 

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கல்லாதான் சொல்கா முறுதல் முலைஇரண்டும்

இல்லாதாள் பெண்காமுற் றற்று    (402).

Pronunciation

Kallaadhaan solkaamurudhal mulai iraNdum

IllaadhaaL peN kaamutratru.

Translation

Like breast less dame’s love

Wish of the illiterate

To attract, goes vain!

Comment

The person without any knowledge trying to say something in the assembly of the learned is like a lady without breast trying to attract others.

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கல்லா தவரும் நனி நல்லர்; கற்றார்முன்

சொல்லாது இருக்கப் பெறின்.

Pronunciation

Kallaadhavarum naninallar; katraarmun

Sollaadhu irukkapperin.

Translation

The unlearned are wise

When they keep silent in the

Presence of the wise!

Comment

Realizing their competence if the unlearned can keep quite in the assembly of the learned, even the unlearned are good.

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கல்லாதான்  ஒட்பம்  கழியநன்று  ஆயினும்

கொள்ளார்  அறிவு உடை யார்.

Pronunciation

Kallaadhaan otpam kaziyanandru aayinum

KoLLaar arivu udaiyaar.

Translation

Words of the unlearned

Never cared by the elite

Pity stands uncared!

Comment

Even by any chance the words of the unlearned are wise, it is a pity that the learned will not care.

 

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கல்லா ஒருவன் தகைமை தலைப்பெய்து

சொல்லாடச் சோர்வு படும்.

Pronunciation

Kallaa oruvan thagaimai thalaip peydhu

Sollaada soarvu perum.

Translation

The man unlearned fails

To impress the learned pure

His feigning derails!

Comment

The attempt of the unlearned to pose as if he is learned, will be betrayed the moment he opens his mouth and begins to speak.

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உளர்என்னும் மாத்திரையர் அல்லால் பயவாக்

களர்அனையர் கல்லா தவர்.

Pronunciation

ULar ennum maaththirayar allaal payavaak

KaLar anaiyar kallaadhavar.

Translation

Poor unlearned are

Like barren lands useless sure

For near and far!

Comment

The unlearned are just living their lives. They are as useless as the barren lands that are of no use to anybody.

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நுண்மாண்  நுழைபுலம்  இல்லான்  எழில்நலம்

பண்மாண்  புனைபாவை  யற்று.

Pronunciation

NuNmaaN nuzaipulam illaan ezilnalam

PaNmaaN punaiaavai yatru.

Translation

Unlearned though handsome

Like models from clay serve none

Also troublesome!

Comment

Though the unlearned, not having the knowledge to analyze and understand are handsome, they are just like beautiful dolls made of clay that are easily breakable.

 

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நல்லார்கண் பட்ட வறுமையின் இன்னாதே

கல்லார்கண் பட்ட திரு.

Pronunciation

NallaarkaN patta varumaiyin innaadhae

KallaarkaN patta thiru.

Translation

Wealth of the untaught

Cause more harm than poverty

Of the wise, well taught!

Comment

Wealth with the unlearned is more harmful than the poverty of the learned.

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மேல்பிறந்தார் ஆயினும் கல்லாதார் கீழ்ப்பிறந்தும்

கற்றார் அனைத்திலர் பாடு.

Pronunciation

Mael pirandhaar aayinum kallaadhaar keezpirandhum

Katraar anaiththilar paadu.

Translation

High born indeed low

Sans learning, the learned great

Though low born sure grow!

Comment

The unlearned though born in a great family remain to be unlearned; the learned though born in a humble family are indeed learned and bound to progress..

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விலங்கொடு மக்கள் அனையர் இலங்குநூல்

கற்றாரோடு ஏனை யவர்.

Pronunciation

Vilangodu makkaL anaiyar ilangunool

Katraaroadu aenaiyavar.

Translation

Beasts are untaught though

Born men – well learned sure earn

Respect rightly so!

Comment

Those learned by reading great books of knowledge alone are respected; though the unlearned lead their lives they are not respected.