Tirukkural-On Virtue-On Right Conduct-Kural 140

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Even men of learning will be as ignorant men,
If they do not live in tune with the world.

The following passage from Lord Chesterfield could be considered a felicitous alternative translation of this Kural.

'A man of the best parts and the greatest learning, if he does not know the world by his own experience and obligation, will be very absurd and consequently very unwelcome in company'.

The idea of living in tune with the world has been happily expressed in 'Natrinai' thus:

Payanum panbum paadarindholukalum

(Natrinai)

Similar thoughts find their echo in 'Naladiar' 333.
Kulandhavang kalvi kudimai moopaindhum
vilangaamal yeidhiyak kannum-nalanchaandra
Maiyaru tholseer ulaham ariyaamai
Neyiellaap paar soartrin naer

Kural 426 too is relevant here, for it conveys the same message of living in tune with one's surroundings.

Yevva thuraivadhu ulaham ulahathoadu
Avvathuraivadhu arivu