Possession of Knowledge
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aṟivuṭaiyā rellā muṭaiyā raṟivilā / reṉṉuṭaiya rēṉu milar
Those with understanding possess everything; those without understanding possess nothing, whatever else they may own.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“The wise is rich, with ev'ry blessing blest; / The fool is poor, of everything possessed.”
“He that hath understanding hath everything: but the fool though he possess everything hath nothing.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அறிவுடையார் எல்லாம் உடையார்- அறிவுடையார் பிறிதொன்றும் இலராயினும், எல்லாம் உடையராவார்; அறிவிலார் என்னுடையரேனும் இலர்= அறிவிலாதார் எல்லாம் உடையராயினும், ஒன்றும் இலராவார்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar preserves the verse's absolute contrast: knowledge makes its possessor as one who has everything, while without it other possession counts as nothing. This magnifies knowledge's governing value; it does not erase material needs or anyone's dignity.