Lack of Learning
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mēṟpiṟantā rāyiṉuṅ kallātār kīḻppiṟantuṅ / kaṟṟā raṉaittilar pāṭu
“Lower are men unlearned, though noble be their race, / Than low-born men adorned with learning's grace.”
“The fool though born of a higher family is esteemed much less than a learned man who is of inferior descent.”
Though born in high station, the unlearned do not possess the honour belonging to the learned born in humble circumstances.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
கல்லாதார் மேற்பிறந்தார் ஆயினும்= கல்லாதார் உயர்ந்த சாதிக்கண் பிறந்தாராயினும்; கீழ்ப்பிறந்தும் கற்றார் அனைத்துப் பாடு இலர்= தாழ்ந்த சாதிக்கண் பிறந்துவைத்தும் கற்றாரது பெருமை அளவிற்றாய பெருமை இலர்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Though born into prestigious, high-ranking families, the unlearned never attain the elevated dignity possessed by learned souls born in humbler stations.