Kural #297
Last reviewed:
Tamil text
பொய்யாமை பொய்யாமை ஆற்றின்
அறம்பிற செய்யாமை செய்யாமை நன்று
Poyyāmai poyyāmai āṟṟiṉ
Aṟampiṟa ceyyāmai ceyyāmai naṉṟu
English translation
If one can practice not lying without ever lying, it is good not to practice other virtues.
Listen
Explanation
Perfect truthfulness is sufficient. If someone can maintain complete honesty without any lapse, they need not worry about other virtuous practices. Truth is the foundational virtue from which all others flow.
விளக்கம்
வாய்மையே அறத்தின் ஆணிவேர். ஒருவன் எப்போதும் பொய் சொல்லாமல் இருந்தால், மற்ற அறங்களைச் செய்யாவிட்டாலும் அதுவே போதும். வாய்மை இருந்தால் மற்ற நல்ல குணங்கள் தானாகவே வரும். இது வாய்மை அதிகாரத்தில் வள்ளுவர் கூறும் அறிவுரை.
Word meanings
- பொய்யாமைpoyyāmainot lying
- ஆற்றின்āṟṟiṉif able to practice
- அறம்aṟamvirtue
- பிறpiṟaother
- செய்யாமைceyyāmainot doing
- நன்றுnaṉṟuis good
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering river, lived two farmers: Thulasi and Kumar. Thulasi was known for his generous spirit, always helping others, but sometimes, he’d stretch the truth to avoid conflict. Kumar, on the other hand, was blunt and honest, even when it was difficult. One year, a terrible drought struck. The village well dried up, and everyone’s crops withered. A merchant arrived, promising water if the villagers would trade their harvest. Thulasi, desperate, claimed he had a bountiful harvest, securing a large share of water. But his fields yielded little. Kumar, though his fields fared no better, truthfully explained his situation. The merchant, impressed by his honesty, offered Kumar a small portion of water. When the rains finally came, Kumar's small plot thrived. Thulasi, burdened by his lie, watched his crops fail, realizing that sometimes, the simplest path is the truest.