Kural 299Chapter 30: Veracity

Thirukkural 299 in English

Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.

Tamil original

எல்லா விளக்கும் விளக்கல்ல சான்றோர்க்குப்
பொய்யா விளக்கே விளக்கு.

Transliteration

Ellaa Vilakkum Vilakkalla Saandrorkkup
Poiyaa Vilakke Vilakku

Modern English

“Lights can remove darkness around us, but truth is the light that guides a wise person within.”

Modern Interpretation

Lights can remove darkness around us, but truth is the light that guides a wise person within. Honesty helps us see our choices clearly. For example, a student who admits cheating can finally face the problem and choose to rebuild trust.

Listen

Tamil pronunciation

Speed

Compare translations

Modern Plain English

Lights can remove darkness around us, but truth is the light that guides a wise person within.

Poetic Couplet (Bharati)

All lights are not lights for the wise; Truth light is light bright like Sun-light

G.U. Pope Translation

Every lamp is not a lamp in wise men's sight;That's the lamp with truth's pure radiance bright

Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)

All lamps of nature are not lamps; the lamp of truth is the lamp of the wise

Tamil commentary

உலகத்து இருட்டைப் போக்கும் விளக்குகள், விளக்கு ஆகா; பொய் சொல்லாமை என்னும் விளக்கே சான்றோர்க்கு விளக்கு ஆகும்.

Chapter 30

More from Veracity

வாய்மை

Read all 10 Kurals →

Kural 291

If \"What is truth\"? the question be, It is to speak out evil-free

Kural 292

E'en falsehood may for truth suffice, When good it brings removing vice

Kural 293

Let not a man knowingly lie; Conscience will scorch and make him sigh

Kural 294

He lives in loving hearts of all Who serves the Truth serene in soul

Kural 295

To speak the truth from heart sincere Is more than giving and living austere

Kural 296

Not to lie brings all the praise All virtues from Truth arise

Kural 297

Lie not lie not Naught else you need All virtues are in Truth indeed

Kural 298

Water makes you pure outward Truth renders you pure inward

Kural 299

All lights are not lights for the wise; Truth light is light bright like Sun-light

Kural 300

Of all the things we here have seen Nothing surpasses Truth serene!