The Kural or the Maxims of Tiruvalluvar/Chapter 41
CHAPTER 41
THE NEGLECTING OF INSTRUCTION
401. Ascending the rostrum without abundant knowledge is like the playing of dice without the chequered board.6
402. Behold the man without learning who desireth to be called eloquent: he is like unto a woman without busts who yearneth to be admired of men.
403. Even a fool shall be counted wise if he can hold his peace before the learned.
404. The opinion of an ignorant man will be rejected by the wise even though it may be perfectly sensible.
405. 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.
406. Like unto a waste land that yieldeth no harvests is the man that hath neglected instruction: all that men can say about him is that he liveth, and nothing more.
407. Behold the man whose understanding hath not been penetrated by the Grand and the Subtle : the comeliness of his person is no better than the beauty of an image of clay.
408. Bitter verily is the poverty of the man of learning : but far worse is riches in the hands of the fool.
409. The fool though born of a higher family is esteemed much less than a learned man who is of inferior descent.
410. How much better are men than beasts ? Even so much are the learned better than those that have not cared for instruction.
