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Kural No. 396 · Wealth (Porul) · Ch 40

Learning

கல்வி
Original Kural · ஓலைச்சுவடி
தொட்டனைத் தூறும் மணற்கேணி மாந்தர்க்குக்
கற்றனைத் தூறும் அறிவு.

Thottanaith Thoorum Manarkeni Maandharkkuk / Katranaith Thoorum Arivu

Classical English couplet — “In sandy soil, when deep you delve, you reach the springs below;The more you learn, the freer streams of wisdom flow”

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Choose from 26 languages · narrated with native voice
A
Simple English Meaning
AI-assisted

What it says in plain words

The deeper you dig a well in sand, the more water flows. In the same way, the more you learn, the more your knowledge grows.”

B
எளிய தமிழ் விளக்கம் · Simple Tamil Interpretation

The classical Tamil reading

மணலில் உள்ள கேணியில் தோண்டிய அளவிற்க்கு நீர் ஊறும், அதுபோல் மக்களின் கற்றக் கல்வியின் அளவிற்கு அறிவு ஊறும்.

C
ஆழமான தமிழ் விளக்கம் · Deeper Tamil Commentary

An expanded Tamil interpretation

தோண்டத் தோண்ட ஊற்றுநீர் கிடைப்பது போலத் தொடர்ந்து படிக்கப் படிக்க அறிவு பெருகிக் கொண்டே இருக்கும்

D
Deeper English Meaning
AI-assisted

The ethical and philosophical heart

A well in sand gives more water as you dig deeper. Learning grows your knowledge in much the same way. The key is to keep learning a little more. Reading about health, money, or work can help you understand everyday problems better.

E
Practical Example (English)
AI-assisted

In personal life, work and society

Personal
You read about food labels and learn what different foods contain.
Workplace
You learn more about a tool and understand how to use it better.
Family
You read with your child each evening, and both learn new things.
Society
Neighbors use the local library to learn more about shared concerns.
F
Modern Application (English)
AI-assisted

How to apply this today

Decision-making
Learn more about your choices before making a decision.
Integrity
Be honest about what you know and what you still need to learn.
Communication
Ask questions when you do not understand an explanation.
Leadership
Make time for your team to keep learning together.
Governance
Keep learning about local needs to make better public decisions.
G
Leadership Lesson (English)
AI-assisted

For leaders and teams

Help others keep growing through learning by making time for questions. Keep building your own knowledge alongside them.

H
Reflection Question (English)
AI-assisted

Something to sit with

“What would you like to understand better, and how could you start learning about it today?”

Thirukkural Wisdom

Ancient Tamil wisdom — made simple, practical and useful for the modern world, in your own language.

Disclaimer

This application provides educational explanations of the Thirukkural. English meanings and AI-assisted explanations are intended to make the text easier to understand. Classical texts can have multiple valid interpretations.

Thirukkural Wisdom for the World·Timeless Tamil couplets for global minds·© 2026
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