42.1 Learning Through Listening

 42.1 Learning Through Listening

Question:

Is learning through listening a good practice?

Answer:

Though not learnt, let a man listen (to the wise); that will

serve him as a staff to hold at times of distress.                                       (Couplet- 414)

The wealth of knowledge obtained through listening to others is the

greatest of all wealth.                                                                                 (Couplet - 411)

 

கற்றில னாயினுங் கேட்க அஃதொருவற்கு

ஒற்கத்தின் ஊற்றாந் துணை.                                                           (குறள் – 414)

செல்வத்துட் செல்வஞ் செவிச்செல்வம் அச்செல்வம்

செல்வத்துள் எல்லாந் தலை.                                                            (குறள் – 411)

Explanation:

             Valluvar emphasizes the importance of learning in Chapter 40 of Thirukkural. In the next chapter on Illiteracy, he strongly criticizes those who have not spent time learning through formal methods. Valluvar being a pragmatist, realizes that some people may not have had the opportunity to learn from a book or a tutor. Therefore, he suggests that if one has not learnt, he should at least learn by listening to wise people. The knowledge gained by listening to wise people will serve as a staff to lean upon in times of distress. Also, in his opinion, the wealth of knowledge gained by listening to wise people is the best of all wealth.

Throughout history, we can find several examples of counselors offering valuable advice to their kings and the kings being immensely benefitted by such advice. Akbar the Great ascended the throne of the Mogul empire of India at the young age of thirteen. It is said that Akbar could not read or write. But he had an extraordinary group of nine distinguished men who served him as his counselors, and with their help, he could rule his vast empire very successfully. Other examples of great emperors who came to power and depended on their advisors would include Peter the Great of Russia, Queen Elizabeth I of England, Alexander the Great of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon, and so on. So, the knowledge gained by listening to the wise counselors has been helpful to many rulers in the past. Even during the last century, a few chief ministers of states in India did not have much formal education. Still, with the help of their innate intelligence combined with the knowledge gained from their counselors, they were able administrators.