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Question

When the learned see that the learning that delights them
Delights the world as well, they love learning even more.
A man's learning is an imperishable and precious wealth.
All other possessions are less golden.

-Tirukkural 40:399-400

Excerpted from the Tirukkural, translated by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami.

What do you think of this?

Could this be one reason ( "Delight" ) that so many wish to share their religious views?

Answer 1

I believe that 'All other possesions are less golden', but I've always felt like there's a trap in learning: what if it takes the learned too far? What if learning becomes self-sufficient in one's self?
Sure, we have great delight from it, but what to make of it if it happens that the world does not share our delight?
As you gain knowledge and wisdom, you gain also a severe conciusness about you impact on the world. Being 'the learned', you know that. But, when your mind starts to go apart from everything other, should you enjoy yourself and what you bare inside, or care to share it, and help where help is needed?
Thinking of this, I can clearly see a big question beneath it: should one advance mentally and spiritually for his own sake, or for the sake of all?
In this excerpt, it says, basically, that the learned loves learning because it delights the world - I'm only saying that it can grow over that, if learning becomes the world.
Also, the second part (A man's learning...) hits me very much in an emotional way. It sound very romantic, almost as if the poet is trying to convice us how precious and fragile are things of knowledge.
That would be all I could get out of it, for now...

Answer 2

Well "the learned see that the learning delights them" sounds like someone that got saved through the blood of the cross and recieved a new life and is now learning about the bible and how to be christlike,and the more you read the word the more you will want and be delighted in it.And "delights the world as well,love learning even more" may mean other fellow believers."A man's learning is an imperishable and precious wealth"meaning accepting jesus into your life and having eternity and rewards in heaven"All other possessions are less golden"well talking about worldly treasures,after being saved and living christ like,those worldly things wont matter as much.Thats just my opinion

Answer 3

Disclaimer: My Truth is mine, it works perfectly for ME. I do not expect anyone else to believe what I say unless in agrees with your common sense and reason (and then only if you choose to believe it). I will not be offended if you do not agree with me.

You do realize that that is a quote out of a religion as well? It is Hinduism. It was written by Tiru Valluvar. It can also read

Their joy is joy of all the world, they see; thus more
The learners learn to love their cherished lore.
Learning is excellence of wealth that none destroy;
To man nought else affords reality of joy.

Taken in that context I see it as taking Joy in seeing Truth in the world and thereby learning the love of Truth. Truth and knowledge of Truth (wisdom) being something that can never be taken away or destroyed (unless the person is destroyed) is what is meant by the third line to set up for the Truth of the fourth line. Truth being unchanging, real, and something that cannot be destroyed (or taken away) is the only thing that can bring true joy, for anything else that brings you joy can be taken away and cause you pain.

The reason people feel the need to share their views differs from person to person. Some do it to control others, some to share what they find, some to test their own views, some because if other peoples opinions differ from their own they feel threatened and attacked, there are more reasons but I will not attempt to list them all. All of us want to be heard by others and all of us want to feel as though we matter in the larger scheme of things.

What this saying teaches is that finding Truth is the only way to achieve the actual reality of joy and not just a fleeting shadow of it that will disappear as quickly as it is found.

Answer 4

Hmmmm. This is similar to Proverbs 3:13-18:

"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her."

Answer 5

The first sentance is verifiable.

The second is simply false. His learning dies when he dies.

The third is a value jusdgement I disagree with in general. Some learning is worth less than zero.

Overall, I'd say it imparts no net wisdom.

Answer 6

Not very profound...and not true. Man can have Alzheimers, or simply just forget. Learning is not imperishable, and you can't take it with you. What good is it when you're gone? What will it do for you when your life is over?

Answer 7

to the Muslim one should except the truth no matter where it comes from.undoubtedly that exerpt is the truth.our Prophet [pbuh] said knowledge is the lost property of every human being,you should seek it even unto China.

Answer 8

Depends on what you are learning.
To learn how to live is great, most learn how to die.
In much wisdom is much grief, and great learning is a worrisome to you flesh.


Obadhawk

Answer 9

It's a nice quote, and it certainly makes sense. Learning is a tremendous value.

I'm not sure that this has anything whatsoever to do with religioin. does it?

Answer 10

Learning is a great thing, but if you don't have the wisdom on how to use what you have learned then it is almost useless.