Thirukkural-On Wealth-On Ignorance-Kural-405

On Ignorance

oi-Priya

By Priya Devi

Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 10:44

The self-esteem of the uneducated cannot stand the test
Of a single direct discourse with the learned.

The person, who has not gone through the process of educating himself, by learning at the feet of the great masters, or through their books, or the school of pain-taking experience, even if he develops a self-esteem in his own arrogant way of thinking, quite undeservedly, this will not enable him to hold his own and sustain even a brief discussion on any relevant subject, with the really learned men, with the result, the self-esteem or self-concept will get blown-up.

Rajaji would say that an unlettered man"s conceit will find its end, when the occasion for a speech that matters does arise.

K V Jaganathan, in his Research edition of Thirukkural has drawn a parallel from Pazhamozhi.

“Kalaadhaan kanda kazhi nutpam katraar mun
Solungaal soarvu paduthalaal"