சிறிது நேரமே என்றாலும் உறுதி தரம் நற்பொருளைக் கேட்க வேண்டும். அதுகூட நிறைந்த பெருமையைத் தரும்.

நல்லவற்றை எந்த அளவுக்குக் கேட்கிறோமோ அந்த அளவுக்குப் பெருமை கிடைக்கும் என்ற நம்பிக்கையுடன் இருக்க வேண்டும்

எவ்வளவு சிறிதே ஆயினும் நல்லவற்றைக் கேட்டறிய வேண்டும், கேட்ட அந்த அளவிற்கு அவை நிறைந்த பெருமையைத் தரும்.

Let a man listen, never so little, to good (instruction), even that will bring him great dignity

Verse 416 of the Thiru Kural emphasizes the significance and the transformative power of gaining knowledge, particularly good instructions or teachings. It underscores that no matter how little one learns, as long as it is beneficial and virtuous, it has the potential to confer immense dignity and respect upon the individual. The verse encourages the act of learning and advises us to seek out beneficial knowledge regardless of the quantity. It suggests that even a small measure of good instruction can have profound effects on an individual's character and standing in society. It also implies that knowledge is not measured merely in terms of quantity, but more importantly, in terms of quality and usefulness. The verse, therefore, serves as a reminder of the value and potency of knowledge, and it exhorts us to persist in our pursuit of learning, assuring us that even a little of it can considerably enhance our self-worth and stature. In broader terms, this can also be seen as a call to societies to invest in education and promote the spread of useful and moral knowledge as a means to uplift individuals and communities.