Thirukkural 296 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
பொய்யாமை அன்ன புகழில்லை எய்யாமை
எல்லா அறமுந் தரும்.
Transliteration
Poiyaamai Anna Pukazhillai Eyyaamai
Ellaa Aramun Tharum
Modern English
“No reputation is greater than being known as someone who does not lie, and that honesty supports every other virtue.”
Modern Interpretation
No reputation is greater than being known as someone who does not lie, and that honesty supports every other virtue. Truthfulness quietly shapes the rest of a person’s life. For example, an honest teammate becomes trusted with responsibility because people know their word is dependable.
Listen
Tamil pronunciation
Compare translations
Modern Plain English
No reputation is greater than being known as someone who does not lie, and that honesty supports every other virtue.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
Not to lie brings all the praise All virtues from Truth arise
G.U. Pope Translation
No praise like that of words from falsehood free;This every virtue yields spontaneously
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
There is no praise like the praise of never uttering a falsehood: without causing any suffering, it will lead to every virtue
Tamil commentary
பொய் சொல்லாமல் இருப்பது போலப் புகழ் தருவது இல்லை. அது அவன் அறியாமலேயே அவனுக்கு எல்லாப் புண்ணியங்களையும் தரும்.
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!