Kural #291
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Tamil text
வாய்மை எனப்படுவது யாதெனின்
யாதொன்றும் தீமை இலாத சொலல்
Vāymai eṉappaṭuvatu yāteṉiṉ
Yātoṉṟum tīmai ilāta colal
English translation
What is called truthfulness? It is speaking words that cause no harm whatsoever to any being.
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Explanation
Thiruvalluvar defines truth not merely as factual accuracy but as speech that causes no injury. True speech must be both honest and harmless. This definition integrates truth with compassion.
விளக்கம்
வாய்மை என்பது தீங்கு தராத சொற்களைப் பேசுவது. உண்மை பேசுவது மட்டும் முக்கியமல்ல; அது மற்றவர்களுக்குத் துன்பம் தராததாகவும் இருக்க வேண்டும். அறம் சார்ந்த வாழ்க்கைக்கு இது அவசியம். தீமை தராத சொற்களே வாய்மை.
Word meanings
- வாய்மைvāymaitruthfulness
- எனப்படுவதுeṉappaṭuvatuwhat is called
- யாதுyātuwhat
- எனின்eṉiṉif asked
- யாதொன்றும்yātoṉṟumanything whatsoever
- தீமைtīmaiharm/evil
- இலாதilātawithout
- சொலல்colalspeaking
Story behind this kural
In a village nestled beside a whispering river lived two woodcutters, Arun and Bala. Arun, known for his sharp tongue, often spoke harshly, even if his words were true. Bala, however, always chose his words carefully, considering their impact. One day, they found a hidden grove of ancient trees. Arun, excited, declared, "This wood will fetch a fortune! We'll be rich!" He immediately started chopping. Bala, observing a tiny bird's nest in a branch, saw the potential harm. He replied gently, "The wood is valuable, yes. But perhaps we should take only what we need, leaving the young birds undisturbed." Arun scoffed, "Sentiment has no place in business!" He continued felling trees. Days later, a storm raged, destroying Arun's home. Bala, who had taken only a small amount of wood, his home still stood, sheltered by the remaining trees.