Lack of Learning
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
kallā voruvaṉ takaimai talaippeytu / collāṭac cōrvu paṭum
An unlearned person's self-estimated intellectual stature collapses when informed discussion begins.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“As worthless shows the worth of man unlearned, / When council meets, by words he speaks discerned.”
“Behold the ignorant man who is wise in his own eyes: he will be put to shame directly he openeth his lips in an assembly.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கல்லா ஒருவன் தகைமை= நூல்களைக் கல்லாத ஒருவன் யான் அறிவுடையேன் எனத் தன்னை மதிக்கும் மதிப்பு; தலைப்பெய்து சொல்லாடச் சோர்வுபடும்= அவற்றைக் கற்றவன் கண்டு உரையாடக் கெடும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar says an unlearned person's self-regard as knowledgeable fails when conversation with someone learned begins. The verse exposes an unsupported estimate of knowledge; it does not authorize humiliation or reduce the person's human worth.