Lack of Learning
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
kallā tavaru naṉinallar kaṟṟārmuṟ / collā tirukkap peṟiṉ
Even those without learning may appear very good if they can remain silent before learned people.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“The blockheads, too, may men of worth appear, / If they can keep from speaking where the learned hear!”
“Even a fool shall be counted wise if he can hold his peace before the learned.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கல்லாதவரும் நனி நல்லர்= கல்லாதாரும் மிக நல்லர் ஆவர்; கற்றார்முன் சொல்லாது இருக்கப்பெறின்= தாமே தம்மை அறிந்து, கற்றார் அவையின்கண் ஒன்றனையும் சொல்லாது இருத்தல் கூடுமாயின்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says people without learning can appear very worthy if, knowing their own limits, they can refrain from speaking in an assembly of the learned. This praises situated restraint, not permanent silencing or surrender of reports, questions, and lived evidence.