படிக்காதவர் மேல்சாதியில் பிறந்திருந்தாலும், கீழ்சாதியில் பிறந்திருந்தும் படித்தவர் அளவிற்குப் பெருமை இல்லாதவரே.

கற்றவர் என்ற பெருமை, உயர்ந்தவர் தாழ்ந்தவர் என்ற வேறுபாட்டைப் போக்கிவிடும்

கல்லாதவர் உயர்ந்த குடியில் பிறந்தவராக இருப்பினும் தாழ்ந்த குடியில் பிறந்திருந்தும் கல்விக் கற்றவரைப் போன்ற பெருமை இல்லாதவரே.

The unlearned, though born in a high caste, are not equal in dignity to the learned; though they may have been born in a low caste

Kural 409 emphasizes the value of knowledge over birth status or caste. It suggests that the dignity and worth of a person is not determined by the caste or class they are born into, but by their learning and wisdom. Even if a person is born in a high caste, if they lack knowledge, they are considered inferior to a learned person who may have been born into a lower caste. This verse highlights the transformative power of education and knowledge, which transcends social hierarchies and distinctions. The Tamil explanations echo the same sentiment, stating that the prestige of being a learned individual surpasses any differentiation based on birth or caste. Regardless of one's origin, the lack of education renders them less worthy compared to those who have sought knowledge. This verse thus propounds the idea that true nobility and honor stem from wisdom and learning, not from one's birth or social status.