Ignorance
Arangindri Vattaati Yatre Nirampiya / Noolindrik Kotti Kolal
Classical English couplet — “Like those at draughts would play without the chequered square,Men void of ample lore would counsels of the learned share”
What it says in plain words
“Speaking among well-informed people without enough study is like playing a board game without a marked board.”
The classical Tamil reading
அறிவு நிரம்புவதற்குக் காரணமானக் நூல்களைக் கற்காமல் கற்றவரிடம் சென்று பேசதல், சூதாடும் அரங்கு இழைக்காமல் வட்டுக்காயை உருட்டிஆடினார் போன்றது.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
நிறைந்த அறிவாற்றல் இல்லாமல் அவையில் பேசுவது ஆடுவதற்கான கட்டம் போட்டுக் கொள்ளாமலே சொக்கட்டான் விளையாடுவதைப் போன்றதாகும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
A marked board gives players a clear way to play. In the same way, study gives our words a firm base. Without enough knowledge, we may offer ideas we cannot explain. The lesson is to learn before you speak when joining a serious discussion.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- Before discussing a health topic, you read reliable information about it.
- Workplace
- You study the project details before offering advice at a meeting.
- Family
- You read the school information before discussing your child's choices.
- Society
- You learn about a local issue before speaking at a community meeting.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Learn the facts before suggesting what others should do.
- Integrity
- Be honest about what you know and still need to learn.
- Communication
- Prepare your ideas before discussing a topic with well-informed people.
- Leadership
- Understand the issue before giving your team advice.
- Governance
- Study a public problem carefully before proposing a solution.
For leaders and teams
Good guidance needs a strong base of knowledge. Take time to learn before asking others to follow your advice.
Something to sit with
“What could you learn more about before your next important discussion?”