Lack of Learning
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kallā tavaru naṉinallar kaṟṟārmuṟ / collā tirukkap peṟiṉ
“The blockheads, too, may men of worth appear, / If they can keep from speaking where the learned hear!”
“Even a fool shall be counted wise if he can hold his peace before the learned.”
Even those without learning may appear very good if they can remain silent before learned people.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கல்லாதவரும் நனி நல்லர்= கல்லாதாரும் மிக நல்லர் ஆவர்; கற்றார்முன் சொல்லாது இருக்கப்பெறின்= தாமே தம்மை அறிந்து, கற்றார் அவையின்கண் ஒன்றனையும் சொல்லாது இருத்தல் கூடுமாயின்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Even the unlearned can be regarded as very worthy people, if only they have the prudence to remain silent in the presence of the learned.