ON LEARNING

The first thing laid down in Kural dealing with learning is the duty of relating one's conduct to one's knowledge. Knowledge thus translated becomes culture. Acquire a sound knowledge of things that should be learnt, and then act accordingly.

Learning is divided into two simple divisions, ‘mathematics and literature, - "numbers" and "letters." They are like two eyes to human life.

An uneducated man's life, whatever his station may be, is no better than that of a man cursed with blindness.

Only the literate can be said to have eyes. The unlettered have but two openings in the face, not eyes.

Learning has to be acquired in fear and humility. The seeker of knowledge must stand before the learned even as a man in want stands before the rich giver, eager and trembling. He who is proud and does not care to undergo this must remain ignorant and is doomed to inferiority in life.

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