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Kural 416

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eṉaittāṉu nallavai kēṭka vaṉaittāṉu / māṉṟa perumai tarum

🎬 குறள் கதை · Story
G.U. Pope1886

“Let each man good things learn, for e'en as he / Shall learn, he gains increase of perfect dignity.”

V.V.S. Aiyar1916

“Listen to good words though they be but few: even those few will add to thee a proportionate dignity.”

Modern readingAI draft

Listen to good and useful truths, however small their measure; each measure will yield a corresponding fullness of mature excellence.

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Parimelazhagar’s commentary

13th century · public domain

Parimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.

எனைத்தானும் நல்லவை கேட்க= ஒருவன் சிறிதாயினும் உறுதிப்பொருள்களைக் கேட்க; அனைத்தானும் ஆன்ற பெருமை தரும்= அக்கேள்வி அத்துணையாயினும் நிறைந்த பெருமையை தரும் ஆகலான்.

Source: Tamil Wikisource

In plain EnglishAI draft · pending review

Listen to good and virtuous truths in whatever small measure they may be available; for even the smallest portion of such wisdom confers rich and enduring excellence.