403. When Rajangam Chose to Remain Silent...

Rajangam always had a complex about his having not had an education beyond the primary school level.

If he was in a group of people, that had a couple of educated people, he wouldn't take part in the conversation among the group members.

If someone in that group who was close to Rajangam persuaded him to join the conversation, he would give some excuse like having an engagement and leave that place.

Among Rajangam's friends, Viswanathan was the only one, who was well educated. Rajangam could speak to Viswanathan freely. Viswanathan also understood Rajangam's complex about his lack of education, and would make him feel comfortable, while conversing with them.

Sometimes  it would happen that some of the things said by Viswanathan went over Rajangam's head. During those times, Rajangam would lament, "How do you expect me to understand these things? I am not an educated person like you!" half in jest, half in earnest.

One day, when Rajangam went to Viswanathan's house, some of Viswanathan's college friends had been there.

Rajangam tried to leave immediately, telling Viswanathan, "I will come some other time," but, Viswanathan stopped him and made him stay.

When Viswanathan and his friends were conversing, Rajangam was sitting with them, watching the conversation quietly. Though he had some knowledge of some of the topics they discussed, he chose to keep quiet, without saying anything based on his own understanding of the topics.

Except for nodding his head sometimes, and smiling some other times, Rajangam made no contribution to the conversation.

When some of Viswanathan's friends tried to drag Rajangam into the conversation by asking him, "What do you think of this?" he just smiled.

After some time, Rajangam took leave of them and returned home.

Next day, when Rajangam met Viswanathan, he said, "What Viswanathan, you got me into a difficult situation yesterday. I think your friends would have thought that I was an ignoramus!"

"Not at all. On the other hand, they spoke highly of you. They told me, 'Your friend is very humble and unassuming!'"

"They wouldn't have known that I am not well educated."

"They knew it, alright. When they asked me about your educational background, I told them, 'Unlike us, he didn't have the benefit of college education. He has done his schooling.' They said, 'That's fine. We come across people who have a little knowledge about a topic talking authoritatively, as if they are experts on that topic. But your friend was polite and civilized. What more quality does a person need?' I felt very proud" said Viswanathan.

Rajangam also felt a little proud, himself.

.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 41
Lack of Education

Verse 403 (in Tamil):

kallAdhavarum nani nallar kaRRAr mun
sollAdhirukkp peRin.

Meaning:

Even the unlearned will get a good name, if they refrain from talking in the presence of the learned.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'natchaththirap pEchchALar' by the same author.)

Verse 404
Verse 402