Learning by Listening
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nuṇaṅkiya kēḷviya rallār vaṇaṅkiya / vāyiṉa rāta laritu
“'Tis hard for mouth to utter gentle, modest word, / When ears discourse of lore refined have never heard.”
“Humility of speech is hard to be attained by those who have not listened to the subtle words of the wise.”
It is difficult for those without subtle learning gained by listening to possess speech that bends with humility.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
நுணங்கிய கேள்வியர் அல்லார்= நுண்ணிதாகிய கேள்வியுடையர் அல்லாதார்; வணங்கிய வாயினர் ஆதல் அரிது= பணிந்த மொழியினை உடையராதல் கூடாது.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
It is exceedingly rare for those who lack the refinement of subtle listening to possess speech graced with genuine humility and polite reverence.