Kural 0416 - 👂 சிறிது கேள், பெரிது வளர்க 📖 – Small Listening, Great Growth
Thirukkural 416: Greatness grows by listening to noble wisdom, however little. Insights, practices, story.
💡 சிந்தனை - Insight
Key Questions
- Universal: How can I grow wise if I don’t have time to read everything?
- Universal: From whom should I seek knowledge — only elders, or anyone?
- Universal: How do I know what kind of listening will help me grow?
- Scholar (Leadership): Is leadership about speaking or about listening?
- Scholar (Management): How do small learnings accumulate into big impact?
- Scholar (Entrepreneurship): How do I avoid “reinventing the wheel” in my journey?
- Scholar (Philosophy – Aristotle): What makes the difference between the educated and the uneducated?
- Scholar (Politics – Gandhi, Mandela): How do leaders mature into moral stature?
- Scholar (Sports): What discipline separates champions from ordinary players?
- Scholar (Psychology): Why does selective attention matter in personal growth?
Key Insight
Thiruvalluvar: Whatever little of the good you hear, it yields greatness in full measure; listen, for noble words never fail to enrich.
📜 குறள் – Kural
குறள் 416
எனைத்தானும் நல்லவை கேட்க அனைத்தானும்
ஆன்ற பெருமை தரும்.
[பொருட்பால், அரசியல், கேள்வி]
சந்தி பிரிப்பு
எனைத்தானும் நல்லவை கேட்க அனைத்தானும்
ஆன்ற பெருமை தரும்.
Transliteration
Enaiththaanum Nallavai Ketka Anaiththaanum
Aandra Perumai Tharum
eṉaittāṉum nallavai kēṭka aṉaittāṉum
āṉṟa perumai tarum.
English Translation
Even a little listening to the good,
Will yield greatness in that measure.
Purpose of This Kural
The purpose of this Kural is to show that true greatness is not achieved through power or titles, but through the humble act of listening to noble wisdom. It redefines leadership as a posture of receptivity, where every moment of listening becomes a seed for maturity and stature.
Relevance / Need in Today’s Context
In today’s fast and noisy world, where people rush to speak but rarely to listen, this Kural reminds us that greatness begins with attentive ears. Leaders, professionals, and individuals alike must rediscover the power of selective listening to wisdom, for it alone builds depth, discernment, and true influence.
🔤📚பதவுரை - Design of Words
(Building blocks of the verse)
பதவுரை - Word Meanings in Tamil
எனை - eṉai adv. என் What, why;என்ன. , eṉai எ³. adj. All; எல்லாம் சுட்டுணர் வெனப்படுவ, தெனைப் பொருளுண்மைகாண்டல் (மணி. 27, 62).--adv. However much;எவ்வளவு. எனைப்பகை யுற்றாரும் (குறள், 207).
நல்லவை - நற்செயல்கள்; அறிவு, ஒழுக்கம் முதலியவற்றால் உயர்ந்தோர்சபை; நியாயம்பேசுவோர்சபை.
தான் - படர்க்கைஒருமைப்பெயர்; தேற்றச்சொல்; அசைச்சொல்; முழுப்புடைவை; குழம்பில் போடப்படும் காய்கறித் துண்டம்; 'அதுவின்றி இஃதுஒன்று' என்று பொருள்படுவதோர் இடைச்சொல்.
எனைத்தானும் - எவ்வளவு சிறிதாயினும்
நல்லவை - நற்செயல்கள்; அறிவு, ஒழுக்கம் முதலியவற்றால் உயர்ந்தோர்சபை; நியாயம்பேசுவோர்சபை.
கேட்க - செவி வழியாக சான்றோர்களிடமாவது கேளுக
அனைத்தானும் - அந்த அளவில்
ஆன்ற - மாட்சிமைப்பட்ட; பரந்த; அடங்கிய; இல்லாமற்போன.
பெருமை - மாட்சிமை, மிகுதி, வல்லமை, கீர்த்தி, அகந்தை, அருமை, புகழ், பருமை
தரும் - ஈன்றும்
Unpacking Each Word — Its Meaning and Impact
எனைத்தானும் (enaithāṉum) – however little, however much
👉 The poet widens the door: no measure is too small. Even the tiniest act of listening has weight. Leadership here begins not with grand deeds, but with humble attention.
நல்லவை (nallavai) – good, noble, virtuous, true words of the wise
👉 This isn’t casual “good talk.” It is the distilled essence of wisdom, ethics, and justice. To tune one’s ear to this is to align with dharma itself. Leaders must set their compass here.
கேட்க (kēṭka) – to listen, to receive through the ear from elders or wise ones
👉 Not just hearing, but an intentional posture of receptivity. Listening becomes the leader’s discipline — a gateway to transformation.
அனைத்தானும் (aṉaittāṉum) – in that proportion, to the degree one listens
👉 The law of proportion: as much as one listens, in that much measure one grows. This balances humility (tiny effort counts) with responsibility (more listening, more stature).
ஆன்ற (āṉṟa) – ripened, matured, majestic, deeply grounded
👉 Leadership is not about borrowed titles. Listening ripens raw potential into maturity. This is the inner stature that no throne can gift but only wisdom can grow.
பெருமை (perumai) – greatness, true honor, noble eminence (not arrogance)
👉 The outcome is not pomp, but real greatness — the weight that comes from substance, not decoration. A greatness felt, not claimed.
தரும் (tarum) – bestows, grants, naturally yields
👉 Not seized or manufactured. True greatness “gives itself” to the listener. It’s the organic fruit of attention and humility.
Summary in Style
- Even a little listening (எனைத்தானும்) carries power.
- Listening to the noble (நல்லவை கேட்க) is the root discipline.
- Growth is proportional (அனைத்தானும்) to one’s receptivity.
- It matures (ஆன்ற) into ripened stature.
- That stature (பெருமை) is true greatness, not shallow image.
- This greatness (தரும்) is given, not forced.
👉 Essence: Greatness flows naturally to those who humbly and consistently listen to wisdom, however little at first.
Contextual Understanding — Why, Where, What, When, How?
Why:
In the poet’s vision, listening is the seed action of leadership. Not conquest, not command, but listening first. Why? Because wisdom enters only through an open ear, and arrogance shuts it out.
Where:
In assemblies of elders, courts of justice, family councils, and even solitude with scriptures. “Listening” here is not limited to speech but extends to observing, absorbing, attuning.
What:
What is listened to? “நல்லவை” — noble counsel, moral teachings, truths of life. Not gossip, not flattery, not noise. A filtering ear is implied.
When:
“எனைத்தானும்” suggests anytime, at any stage. Even late in life, or in small fragments, it counts. Greatness is never denied to the one who begins.
How:
By repeating “எனைத்தானும் … அனைத்தானும்,” Valluvar builds rhythm and proportion: however much one listens, in that much measure greatness unfolds. The repetition enacts a law — effort and result mirror each other.
Word Order Significance:
- Starts with எனைத்தானும் (however little) → removes excuse.
- Moves to நல்லவை கேட்க (listen to noble) → specifies the target.
- Follows with அனைத்தானும் (proportionate measure) → establishes law of return.
- Ends with ஆன்ற பெருமை தரும் (grants matured greatness) → crowns the listener with the fruit.
👉 The poetic progression: remove barrier → set direction → assure proportionality → promise fruition.
📝 பொழிப்புரை - Full Meaning
முழுப்பொருள் — Full Meaning in Tamil
எவ்வளவு சிறிதாயினும் சிறிது நேரமாயினும் எவ்வளவு சிறிது அளவில் கேட்பதாயினும் நல்லவற்றை செவி வழியாவது கேட்டு கற்தல் வேண்டும். எல்லா நல்ல நூல்களையும் ஒருவரால் கற்க முடியாது. ஆதலால் சிலவற்றை செவி வழியாவது கேட்க வேண்டும். இதில் வள்ளுவர் பெரியோர் என்று வயதில் பெரியவரை குறிப்பிடவில்லை ஏனென்றால் எவ்வளவு வயதில் சிறியவர் ஆயினும் அவரிடம் கற்க ஏதாவது இருந்தால் அவரிடம் கற்கலாம். அப்படி சிறிதளவில் ஒருவர் செவி வழியாக கற்றால் அது அவருக்கு மிகுந்த வல்லமையையும் பயனையும் ஈன்றுத் தரும்.

அது மட்டுமின்றி இங்கே நாம் நோக்க வேண்டிய மற்றோன்று நல்லவை கேட்க வேண்டும் என்று திருவள்ளுவர் சொல்கிறார். தீயவை என்றால் காது கொடுத்துக் கூட கேட்காதே என்றும் பொருள் கொள்ளலாம்.
எல்லோரும் கற்றுக் கொடுக்கிறார்கள்.
எல்லோரிடமும் கற்றுக்கொண்டு வருகிறேன்.
-கல்யாண்ஜி
என்ற கவிதை எல்லோரிடமும் கற்றுக்கொள்ளவேண்டும் என்கிறது.
உதாரணமாக
திருவருட்செல்வர் திரைப்படத்தில், மன்னர் (மன்னராக வருபவர் சிவாஜி கணேசன்) அவர்களுக்கு உள்ள சந்தேகத்தை போக்க ஒரு குழந்தை (குழந்தையாக குட்டி பத்மினி) வந்து பதில் கூறும். அதனை ஏற்றார் அரசர். ஆதலால் அவரால் கேள்விகளுக்கு விடைக்காண முடிந்தது.
மற்ற உரைகள் — Interpretations by Other Tamil Commentators
பரிமேலழகர் உரை
எனைத்தானும் நல்லவை கேட்க - ஒருவன் சிறிதாயினும் உறுதிப் பொருள்களைக் கேட்க, அனைத்தானும் ஆன்ற பெருமை தரும் - அக்கேள்வி அத்துணையாயினும் நிறைந்த பெருமையைத் தரும் ஆகலான்.
('எனைத்து' , 'அனைத்து' என்பன கேட்கும் பொருள்மேலும் காலத்தின்மேலும் நின்றன. அக்கேள்வி மழைத்துளிபோல வந்து ஈண்டி எல்லா அறிவுகளையும் உள ஆக்கலின், 'சிறிது' என்று இகழற்க என்பதாம்.).
பாமரருக்கும் பரிமேலழகர் எளிய உரை - சி.இராஜேந்திரன்
மணக்குடவர் உரை
எவ்வளவிற்றாயினும் நல்ல நூல்களைக் கேட்க; அக்கேள்வி அவ்வளவிற்றே யாயினும் நிரம்பின பெருமையைத் தரும். இஃது எல்லாக்காலமுங் கேட்டிலனாயினும், கேட்குங்கால் நல்ல கேட்க வேண்டுமென்றது.
மு.வரதராசனார் உரை
எவ்வளவு சிறிதே ஆயினும் நல்லவற்றைக் கேட்டறிய வேண்டும், கேட்ட அந்த அளவிற்கு அவை நிறைந்த பெருமையைத் தரும்.
சாலமன் பாப்பையா உரை
சிறிது நேரமே என்றாலும் உறுதி தரம் நற்பொருளைக் கேட்க வேண்டும். அதுகூட நிறைந்த பெருமையைத் தரும்.
புலியூர்க் கேசிகன் உரை
எவ்வளவு சிறிது என்ற போதும் நல்ல பேச்சுக்களையே கேட்கவேண்டும்; அது அந்த அளவுக்கேனும் சிறந்த பெருமையைக் கேட்டவனுக்குத் தவறாமல் தரும்
குறளும் பொருளும் - பா.ராகவன் உரை
அவனிவன் பக்கங்கள் - அஷோக் சுப்ரமணியன் உரை
அஷோக் உரை
Snippets from Orator Bharathi Bhaskar
யான் தமிழ் காணொளி
மேலும்/More
Comprehensive English Meaning & Poetic Rendering
Thiruvalluvar teaches that greatness does not come merely from power, age, or wealth, but from listening — and listening especially to what is noble. Even the smallest act of opening the ear to wisdom is transformative. A person may not have the time or capacity to master every book or philosophy, but through listening — however little, however brief — they draw from a well far deeper than themselves. This transforms raw ability into ripened maturity, a stature that others naturally recognize as greatness.
Importantly, Valluvar does not restrict the source of wisdom to “elders” or “authorities.” He points instead to anyone who carries truth. Wisdom may flow from a child, a peer, or even a brief encounter with a stranger. To listen with humility is to remove the barriers of ego and hierarchy. By including even these unlikely sources, Valluvar makes listening a universal discipline of leadership.
Equally, the Kural insists on selectivity. It is not enough to listen indiscriminately, for noise and corruption are everywhere. “Nallavai” — the good, the just, the wise — must be the filter. To listen to gossip, malice, or vanity is to poison the well of one’s own mind. True listening requires discernment, the courage to turn away from the bad, and the humility to tune into the good.
The power of this Kural is its law of proportion: whatever one listens to of the noble, in that same measure, greatness grows. Tiny inputs compound into lasting stature. Just as a few drops of water, gathered consistently, can fill a vessel, so too even small fragments of noble listening accumulate into deep wisdom. This principle is timeless: greatness does not need dramatic acts but begins with the ear, humble enough to learn.
English Meaning - As I taught a kid
No matter how big or small irrespective of the size of learning, or its impact, or from whomever we can learn, one should listen and learn from others. Through such numerous small learnings, its cumulative and compound effect would be have a bigger impact in our life and career. Listening and learnings from others is important because 1) We can learn only limitedly from books because we have only limited time 2) We can learn diverse perspectives, experiences, fine-tuning tips, pitfalls from others 3) We don't have to re-invent the wheel, we can build on existing things and move the needle.
Poetic Rendering
Even a whisper of noble speech,
Reaches the heart, and teaches much.
From drops of wisdom, greatness grows,
Like rivers swelling from trickling flows.
Not age, nor rank, nor books alone,
But ears that open make greatness known.
The smallest truth, when truly heard,
Ripens the soul, and crowns the word.
🧠 Psychological Angle
(Explore human behavior, emotions, biases, ego patterns — only if naturally relevant)
- Selective Attention (Cognitive Psychology):
Listening only to noble input acts like selective attention, filtering what strengthens growth.
Example: A student who tunes out gossip and focuses on useful mentorship excels faster. - Compound Learning Effect (Educational Psychology):
Even small inputs accumulate, like microlearning — consistent small lessons lead to mastery.
Example: Learning one new word daily builds language fluency over years. - Growth Mindset (Carol Dweck):
Believing one can learn from anyone keeps ears open, fostering continuous growth.
Example: A leader learning from junior staff discovers fresh ideas.
🔬 Science & Systems Parallels
(Modern scientific or systemic connections — explained only if they truly align)
- Neuroscience – Neuroplasticity:
Listening and learning strengthen brain pathways. Even small but consistent inputs rewire the brain toward maturity. - Systems Thinking – Feedback Loops:
Listening creates a positive loop: learn → grow → gain respect → gain more opportunities to learn. - Biology – Evolutionary Adaptability:
Species that listened, observed, and adapted survived better. Ignoring signals led to extinction.
📚🔭 சிந்தனைவெளி - Global Parallels
தமிழ் இலக்கியச் செல்வம் - ஒப்புமை — Parallels in Other Tamil Literary Works
எல்லோரும் கற்றுக் கொடுக்கிறார்கள்.
எல்லோரிடமும் கற்றுக்கொண்டு வருகிறேன்.
-கல்யாண்ஜி
Parallels from World Thought
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics
- “The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living differ from the dead.”
- Meaning: Education and listening cultivate true life and dignity, just as the Kural shows listening as the root of greatness.
Stoics (Epictetus, Discourses)
- “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
- Meaning: Echoes Kural 416’s emphasis on listening as the true beginning of wisdom.
Peter Drucker, The Effective Executive
- “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.”
- Meaning: Leadership greatness flows from disciplined listening, not from endless speaking.
Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement, 2005
- “Stay hungry, stay foolish.”
- Meaning: A reminder that humility in learning from all sources — even unexpected — builds greatness, like the Kural insists.
Warren Buffett (Interview, Forbes)
- “The ability to listen and learn is the most important quality a leader can have.”
- Meaning: Buffett directly mirrors the Kural’s law: listening is the seed of leadership maturity.
Bhagavad Gita, 4:34
- “Learn by approaching a wise teacher, by humble inquiry, and by service; the wise will impart knowledge to you.”
- Meaning: The act of listening to the noble is the timeless path to true greatness.
Bible, Proverbs 19:20
- "Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”
- Meaning: Nearly identical in spirit to Kural 416 — selective listening yields lasting dignity.
Mahatma Gandhi
- “Speak only if it improves upon the silence.”
- Meaning: Listening carries more weight than speaking; aligning with the Kural’s essence.
Sachin Tendulkar (Autobiography)
- “Throughout my career, I listened to the advice of my seniors and coaches… It shaped me.”
- Meaning: Practical proof of greatness born of listening.
🥁 எழுத்தாளர் ஜெயமோகனின் வெண்முரசு — Thematic Snippets from Venmurasu
🌀 Visualization & Models
(Text-based diagrams, cycles, frameworks — applied only where the kural fits a structure)
Flow Model: Listening → Growth
- Input: Listening (however small)
- Process: Selective filtering (“good only”)
- Transformation: Maturity (ஆன்ற)
- Output: Greatness (பெருமை)
🧠 அகப்பயணம் – Inner Exploration
Scholar’s Questions — Valluvar’s Answers
Universal – How can I grow wise if I don’t have time to read everything?
Thiruvalluvar: Even a little of the good you hear enriches you; wisdom does not demand reading all, but receiving well.
Universal – From whom should I seek knowledge — only elders, or anyone?
Thiruvalluvar: Wisdom wears no age; from a child’s lips or a sage’s counsel, take the good wherever it comes.
Universal – How do I know what kind of listening will help me grow?
Thiruvalluvar: Let your ears choose the nourishing, for only the good heard turns into greatness within.
Scholar (Leadership) – Is leadership about speaking or about listening?
Thiruvalluvar: The leader who listens to the wise multiplies their strength; speech without listening is but noise.
Scholar (Management) – How do small learnings accumulate into big impact?
Thiruvalluvar: Each drop of good learning adds to a reservoir; when needed, it overflows with power.
Scholar (Entrepreneurship) – How do I avoid “reinventing the wheel” in my journey?
Thiruvalluvar: Hear the good from others’ trials; what you learn spares you from repeating their errors.
Scholar (Philosophy – Aristotle) – What makes the difference between the educated and the uneducated?
Thiruvalluvar: The educated are those who have trained their ears to hear the noble; the rest remain empty vessels.
Scholar (Politics – Gandhi, Mandela) – How do leaders mature into moral stature?
Thiruvalluvar: By listening to the call of the just, they grow beyond power into greatness of soul.
Scholar (Sports) – What discipline separates champions from ordinary players?
Thiruvalluvar: Champions are those who hear correction, however small, and transform it into strength.
Scholar (Psychology) – Why does selective attention matter in personal growth?
Thiruvalluvar: For the mind becomes what it hears; choose good, and greatness becomes your nature.
Thiruvalluvar: Whatever little of the good you hear, it yields greatness in full measure; listen, for noble words never fail to enrich.
🧠 Think With Me — Questions for Curious Young Minds (Ages 13–21)
- Have you ever learned something important from someone younger than you — maybe a friend, or even a small child?
This helps you break the idea that wisdom always comes from age, and trains you to value insights from anyone. - Can you recall a time when a small tip or piece of advice (like a study trick, or how to play a game better) made a big difference?
This builds awareness of how even little learnings can compound into big improvements. - What are some things you think you should not listen to, even if people around you are saying them?
This turns reflection toward selective listening — the discipline of choosing only what uplifts and shapes character.
Bonus Questions
1) Why should listen to and learn from others? What are the benefits?
2) Can we learn everything from books? Why? So, what should we do ?
🌿 கதைகள் - Stories
Story : The Day Siva Became the Student
Long ago, Lord Siva wanted to know the full truth of the sacred sound “Om”. None of the scriptures or sages could satisfy him. At Swamimalai, it was his young son Murugan who stepped forward. With a smile, Murugan said, “I will teach you, but you must listen as a disciple, not as my father.”
Siva, the great Lord of Kailasa, bowed his head and listened in silence. In that moment, the roles reversed — the Father became the student, the Son became the teacher. Murugan revealed the depth of Pranava, and Siva received it with humility.
From then, Swamimalai became a symbol of listening itself — showing that true greatness lies not in knowing everything, but in knowing how to listen, even to those younger or lesser in appearance.
Story : The Whisper That Changed a Career
Ravi was an ambitious young manager in a tech company. He worked late, read reports, and tried to out-speak everyone in meetings. But he often felt stuck. One day, during a casual chat, an intern half his age shared a simple idea: “Why don’t we listen to customer complaints directly instead of filtered summaries?” Ravi almost dismissed it, but something made him pause. He tried it. Within weeks, he discovered insights no report had revealed. His project turned around, and the team gained recognition. Years later, Ravi realized that his turning point was not a grand strategy but a moment of listening to a small voice.
Moral (Essence of the story):
Even small acts of listening to good ideas bring disproportionate greatness.
Connection to Everyday Life:
In everyday life and work, success often comes not from speaking more, but from opening the ear to unexpected wisdom.
🌙 Bedtime Story: The King Who Listened to a Child
Once there was a young king who wanted to be wise. He called his ministers, but their answers confused him. Suddenly, a little girl stepped forward and whispered a simple truth. The king listened carefully. That small answer solved his big problem, and the whole kingdom rejoiced. From that day, the king learned to listen to everyone, no matter how small, as long as it was good.
Moral (Essence of the story):
Listening to good words, even from little ones, makes us truly great.
Connection to Everyday Life:
In daily life, even kids can share wisdom that helps grown-ups.
🛠️நடைமுறை - Practical Tools
Wisdom becomes powerful only when lived. This section offers simple, actionable ways to apply the kural’s insight in daily life.
Tool 1: Listening Circles (Leadership & Teams)
- What: Structured group sessions where each member speaks, others listen fully.
- How: Weekly 30-min circle; one talks, others only reflect or summarize, no interruption.
- Impact: Builds humility, stronger teams, and fosters respect for diverse voices.
Tool 2: Micro-Learning Capture (Careers & Education)
- What: Record small lessons from daily interactions.
- How: Keep a pocket notebook or app log: note one lesson per day from peers, books, or talks.
- Impact: Creates compound growth, builds memory bank, reduces forgetting.
Tool 3: Selective Input Diet (Personal & Relationships)
- What: Curate your listening sources.
- How: Limit gossip/social noise; choose podcasts, mentors, or conversations with value.
- Impact: Filters “nallavai,” preserves attention, and nurtures wisdom.
Tool 4: Reverse Mentorship (Business & Leadership)
- What: Learning from juniors or unexpected sources.
- How: Assign leaders to monthly sessions where young staff share insights.
- Impact: Breaks ego barriers, sparks innovation, broadens perspectives.
Tool 5: Philosophical Silence (Self-Practice)
- What: Daily time of silent reflection after listening.
- How: Spend 5 minutes digesting one lesson; ask, “What greatness can this give me?”
- Impact: Internalizes wisdom, prevents passive listening, deepens maturity.
Micropractice 1
- At the end of every conversation, pause and ask: “What is one good thing I heard that I can keep?”
Micropractice 2
- Daily: Choose to ignore one piece of gossip/noise and replace it with one noble input (book line, podcast, or elder’s word).
🌸🧐💎🔍 நுட்பத்தின் இதழ்கள் — Petals of Subtle Insight (Applications in Today’s World)
Like petals of a flower, each kural opens to many meanings—this section shows its relevance through different lenses today. It’s about breadth of meaning, showing readers the range of modern applications of the kural.
Category: Personal Virtue & Ethics
Theme: Listening to good words matures character and builds dignity.
Why: Encourages humility and discernment in daily interactions.
Audience: Students, General Public
Tags: virtue, humility, dignity, listening
Domain: Personal Development, Ethics
Category: Leadership & Management
Theme: Greatness in leadership begins with selective listening.
Why: Leaders who listen grow with maturity and respect.
Audience: Business leaders, Entrepreneurs, Managers
Tags: leadership, listening, maturity, influence
Domain: Management, Business
Category: Communication & Relationships
Theme: Listening to the right voices strengthens trust and wisdom.
Why: Builds deeper bonds and prevents harmful influence.
Audience: Families, Teams, Professionals
Tags: communication, listening, trust, growth
Domain: Relationships, Communication Skills
Category: Lifelong Learning
Theme: Even small moments of learning accumulate into greatness.
Why: Highlights continuous growth through microlearning.
Audience: Students, Professionals, Educators
Tags: learning, growth, continuous improvement
Domain: Education, Self-Improvement
🎭 Masks & Misuses
(How the kural could be twisted, misapplied, or ego-driven — and the balanced meaning Valluvar intended)
- Misuse: Literalism – Believing only books or elders qualify as “good.”
Correct: Valluvar includes wisdom from any source, even children.
Example: Leaders ignoring juniors miss innovation. - Misuse: Ego Filter – Listening only when it flatters existing views.
Correct: Listening requires humility and openness to discomfort.
Example: A CEO who ignores criticism stagnates. - Misuse: Listening to All Noise – Thinking all listening equals growth.
Correct: It must be “nallavai” (the good).
Example: Consuming endless gossip podcasts wastes time.
🌿 முக்தாய்ப்பு - Punchline
“நல்லவை கேள், பெருமை பெறுக – Listen to the Good, Grow in Greatness.”
Even the smallest act of listening to noble wisdom multiplies into maturity and dignity. Listening is the seed of greatness.
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