Chapter 30: Veracity

வாய்மை எனப்படுவது யாதெனின் யாதொன்றும்
தீமை இலாத சொலல்.

Vaaimai Enappatuvadhu Yaadhenin Yaadhondrum
Theemai Ilaadha Solal

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

Meaning: Truth is the speaking of such words as are free from the least degree of evil (to others)

பொய்மையும் வாய்மை யிடத்த புரைதீர்ந்த
நன்மை பயக்கும் எனின்.

Poimaiyum Vaaimai Yitaththa Puraidheerndha
Nanmai Payakkum Enin

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

Meaning: Even falsehood has the nature of truth, if it confer a benefit that is free from fault

தன்நெஞ் சறிவது பொய்யற்க பொய்த்தபின்
தன்நெஞ்சே தன்னைச் சுடும்.

Thannenj Charivadhu Poiyarka Poiththapin
Thannenje Thannaich Chutum

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

Meaning: Let not a man knowingly tell a lie; for after he has told the lie, his mind will burn him (with the memory of his guilt)

உள்ளத்தாற் பொய்யா தொழுகின் உலகத்தார்
உள்ளத்து ளெல்லாம் உளன்.

Ullaththaar Poiyaa Thozhukin Ulakaththaar
Ullaththu Lellaam Ulan

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

Meaning: He who, in his conduct, preserves a mind free from deceit, will dwell in the minds of all men

மனத்தொடு வாய்மை மொழியின் தவத்தொடு
தானஞ்செய் வாரின் தலை.

Manaththotu Vaaimai Mozhiyin Thavaththotu
Thaananjey Vaarin Thalai

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

Meaning: He, who speaks truth with all his heart, is superior to those who make gifts and practise austerities

பொய்யாமை அன்ன புகழில்லை எய்யாமை
எல்லா அறமுந் தரும்.

Poiyaamai Anna Pukazhillai Eyyaamai
Ellaa Aramun Tharum

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

Meaning: There is no praise like the praise of never uttering a falsehood: without causing any suffering, it will lead to every virtue

பொய்யாமை பொய்யாமை ஆற்றின் அறம்பிற
செய்யாமை செய்யாமை நன்று.

Poiyaamai Poiyaamai Aatrin Arampira
Seyyaamai Seyyaamai Nandru

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

Meaning: If a man has the power to abstain from falsehood, it will be well with him, even though he practise no other virtue

புறள்தூய்மை நீரான் அமையும் அகந்தூய்மை
வாய்மையால் காணப் படும்.

Puraldhooimai Neeraan Amaiyum Akandhooimai
Vaaimaiyaal Kaanap Patum

Water makes you pure outward Truth renders you pure inward

Meaning: Purity of body is produced by water and purity of mind by truthfulness

எல்லா விளக்கும் விளக்கல்ல சான்றோர்க்குப்
பொய்யா விளக்கே விளக்கு.

Ellaa Vilakkum Vilakkalla Saandrorkkup
Poiyaa Vilakke Vilakku

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

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

யாமெய்யாக் கண்டவற்றுள் இல்லை எனைத்தொன்றும்
வாய்மையின் நல்ல பிற.

Yaameyyaak Kantavatrul Illai Enaiththondrum
Vaaimaiyin Nalla Pira

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

Meaning: Amidst all that we have seen (described) as real (excellence), there is nothing so good as truthfulness