மணலில் தோண்டிய அளவு சிறு குளத்தில் நீர் ஊறும்; மக்கள் கற்ற அளவே அறிவும் வளரும்.

தோண்டத் தோண்ட ஊற்றுநீர் கிடைப்பது போலத் தொடர்ந்து படிக்கப் படிக்க அறிவு பெருகிக் கொண்டே இருக்கும்

மணலில் உள்ள கேணியில் தோண்டிய அளவிற்க்கு நீர் ஊறும், அதுபோல் மக்களின் கற்றக் கல்வியின் அளவிற்கு அறிவு ஊறும்.

Water will flow from a well in the sand in proportion to the depth to which it is dug, and knowledge will flow from a man in proportion to his learning

Kural 396 draws a beautiful analogy between the acquisition of water from a well dug in the sand and the flow of knowledge from an individual. According to the verse, the depth of a well determines the quantity of water it will yield. The deeper the well is dug in the sand, the more water it can provide. This is likened to an individual's acquisition of knowledge. The more a person learns or the deeper they delve into the realms of knowledge, the more wisdom they can impart to others. The kural emphasizes that knowledge and learning are not static, but grow and expand with consistent effort, much like the water in a well. It also suggests that the depth and breadth of one's understanding and wisdom are directly proportional to the effort put into learning. As water is drawn from the well to nourish life, knowledge drawn from a person can enlighten others and enrich their lives. Thus, this kural encourages continuous learning and sharing of knowledge for the betterment of oneself and society.