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

English Translation

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

Plain-English meaning

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

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Tamil pronunciation

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English Translation

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

Plain-English Meaning

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

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

Chapter 30

வாய்மை

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Water makes you pure outward Truth renders you pure inward

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

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