Learning by Listening
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
nuṇaṅkiya kēḷviya rallār vaṇaṅkiya / vāyiṉa rāta laritu
It is difficult for those without subtle learning gained by listening to possess speech that bends with humility.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“'Tis hard for mouth to utter gentle, modest word, / When ears discourse of lore refined have never heard.”
“Humility of speech is hard to be attained by those who have not listened to the subtle words of the wise.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
நுணங்கிய கேள்வியர் அல்லார்= நுண்ணிதாகிய கேள்வியுடையர் அல்லாதார்; வணங்கிய வாயினர் ஆதல் அரிது= பணிந்த மொழியினை உடையராதல் கூடாது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar connects refined, subtle listening with speech capable of humility. Nuanced learning reveals limits, exceptions, and other standpoints, making rigid self-importance harder to sustain. Humble speech here means teachable and proportionate claims—not quietness, social submission, a particular accent or volume, neurotypical eye contact, or masking.