Shallow Understanding
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veṇmai yeṉappaṭuva tiyāteṉi ṉoṇmai / yuṭaiyamyā meṉṉuñ cerukku.
What is called shallow understanding? It is the conceit that says, “We possess keen understanding.”
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“What is stupidity? The arrogance that cries, / 'Behold, we claim the glory of the wise.'”
“Dost thou want to know what is shallowness of wit? It is the conceit that sayeth to itself, I am wise.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
வெண்மை எனப்படுவது யாது எனின்= புலலறிவுடைமையென்று சொல்லப்படுவது யாதென்று வினவின்; யாம் ஒண்மை உடையம் என்னும் செருக்கு= அது தம்மைத்தாமே யாம் நல்லறிவுடையம் என்று நன்குமதிக்கும் மயக்கம்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar explains that, if one asks what shallow understanding is, it is the delusion of esteeming oneself highly and declaring, “We possess sound understanding.”