Thirukkural-On Wealth-On Listening To The Wise-Kural-417

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The above translation is to some extent based on Rajaji"s interpretation.

The kural implies that persons, who have acquired their knowledge by study, marked by deep enquiries and considerable listening to learned men, will definitely have an intuitive diffidence concerning their stand, when they are likely to be in some possible error, and, therefore, will not make an exhibition of themselves by coming out with foolish statements.

Among the noted Kural commentators, Parimel Azhagar and Manakudavar, both agree more or less with the above view. But Parithiar would say that men of such deep learning by effective listening to the wise, will not betray ignorance even through a slip of the tongue or forgetfulness. One need not agree with this.