கற்றவனுக்கு எல்லா நாடும் சொந்த நாடாம்; எல்லா ஊரும் சொந்த ஊராம். இதனைத் தெரிந்தும் ஒருவன் இறக்கும் வரை கூடப் படிக்காமல் இருப்பது ஏன்?

கற்றோர்க்கு எல்லா நாடுகளிலும் எல்லா ஊர்களிலும் சிறப்பு என்கிறபோது, ஒருவன் சாகும் வரையில் கற்காமல் காலம் கழிப்பது ஏனோ?

கற்றவனுக்கு தன் நாடும் ஊரும் போல வேறு எதுவாயினும் நாடாகும், ஊராகும் ஆகையால் ஒருவன் சாகும் வரையில் கல்லாமல் காலங்கழிப்பது ஏன்.

How is it that any one can remain without learning, even to his death, when (to the learned man) every country is his own (country), and every town his own (town) ?

Kural 397 emphasizes the importance and value of learning and knowledge. The verse asserts that to a learned person, every country is his own, and every town is his own. This means that knowledge and learning are universal; they are not confined to any particular place or culture. As such, they provide a sense of belonging and acceptance wherever one goes. The question posed in the verse is rhetorical, questioning how anyone can choose to remain unlearned until their death. It implies a sense of disbelief and incredulity at the idea of someone willingly choosing to stay ignorant when the benefits of learning are so profound. In essence, this verse extols the virtues of learning, emphasizing that knowledge can make the whole world your home, erasing boundaries and fostering mutual understanding and acceptance. It also calls out willful ignorance as a detrimental choice, questioning why anyone would opt to remain unlearned when there is so much to gain from acquiring knowledge.