Thirukkural-On Wealth-On Education-Kural 392

Numbers and letters are the two discerning eyes,
For all mankind to make the best of life.

Numbers here stand for all branches of the science of numbers and for all their direct as well as representative & indirect utilization, mathematical science, while letters would stand for all language and literature. The two together have to be taken as the total field of all human learning, covering sciences and humanities, and provide the basis for all metaphysical thought and education. 'All parts of knowledge have their origin in Metaphysics" – De Quincey by K M Balasubramanian in his notes on Thirukural.

Macaulay quotes Plato to say “The study of the properties of numbers habituates the mind to be contemplation of pure truth, and raises us above the material universe", and further adds that Plato would have his disciples apply themselves to this study.

The essence of Sankya philosophy also endorses this, as the word, 'Sankya" itself primarily means calculative work, with numbers, and thereafter leading to the evolution of a system of metaphysical thought. Incidentally, the Tamil-root word 'Aen' is the basis of the word 'Ennam' which means 'thought'

Similarly, literature promotes the quickness of understanding, retentiveness and purposeful direction of life. And so, Voltaire said that the discovery of what is true, and the practice of that which is good, are the two important objectives of philosophical thinking, towards which all good education must move.

Sirupanchamoolam incorporates the same idea in the following line:

“Kannaangkaal kannum kanidham aeluthu"