# LXXXV: Conceited Folly explained — The Kural

> Chapter companion for The Kural by Thiruvalluvar.

## What happens

This chapter condemns the folly of conceit and ignorance, emphasizing that true poverty is a lack of wisdom. It warns against the arrogance of pretending to knowledge, the dangers of indiscretion, and the futility of trying to enlighten a fool who believes himself wise.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Vanity of Worldly Life

Highlights the emptiness of conceit and the folly of valuing superficial knowledge over true wisdom.

### Social Harmony and Ethics

Warns against the disruptive behavior of fools who ignore advice and bring calamity upon themselves and others.

## Character check-ins

### the Kural

The chapter's verses are attributed to the Kural, offering moral teachings on folly and conceit.

## Key lines

> Dost thou want to know what is shallowness of wit? It is the conceit that sayeth to itself, I am wise.

Shallowness of wit is defined by the conceit of believing oneself wise.

_Critique of self-deceptive arrogance._

> He that trieth to open the eyes of a fool is a fool himself: for the fool seeth but one way and that way is never wrong in his eyes.

Attempting to enlighten a fool is futile, as the fool is obstinate in his own perspective.

_Emphasizes the stubbornness of ignorance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/lxxxv-conceited-folly
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters