Thirukkural 291 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
வாய்மை எனப்படுவது யாதெனின் யாதொன்றும்
தீமை இலாத சொலல்.
Transliteration
Vaaimai Enappatuvadhu Yaadhenin Yaadhondrum
Theemai Ilaadha Solal
Modern English
“Truth means speaking words that do no harm.”
Modern Interpretation
Truth means speaking words that do no harm. Accuracy matters, but truth should not be used as an excuse to injure people. For example, giving honest feedback kindly helps someone improve without humiliating them.
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Modern Plain English
Truth means speaking words that do no harm.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
If \"What is truth\"? the question be, It is to speak out evil-free
G.U. Pope Translation
You ask, in lips of men what 'truth' may be;'Tis speech from every taint of evil free
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
Truth is the speaking of such words as are free from the least degree of evil (to others)
Tamil commentary
உண்மை என்று சொல்லப்படுவது எது என்றால், எவர்க்கும் எத்தகைய தீங்கையும் தராத சொற்களைச் சொல்வதே ஆகும்.
Chapter 30
More from Veracity
வாய்மை
If \"What is truth\"? the question be, It is to speak out evil-free
Kural 292E'en falsehood may for truth suffice, When good it brings removing vice
Kural 293Let not a man knowingly lie; Conscience will scorch and make him sigh
Kural 294He lives in loving hearts of all Who serves the Truth serene in soul
Kural 295To speak the truth from heart sincere Is more than giving and living austere
Kural 296Not to lie brings all the praise All virtues from Truth arise
Kural 297Lie not lie not Naught else you need All virtues are in Truth indeed
Kural 298Water makes you pure outward Truth renders you pure inward
Kural 299All lights are not lights for the wise; Truth light is light bright like Sun-light
Kural 300Of all the things we here have seen Nothing surpasses Truth serene!