Kural #300
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Tamil text
யாமெய்யாக் கண்டவற்றுள் இல்லை
எனைத்தொன்றும் வாய்மையின் நல்ல பிற
Yāmeyyāk kaṇṭavaṟṟuḷ illai
Eṉaittoṉṟum vāymaiyiṉ nalla piṟa
English translation
Among all that we have seen to be true, there is nothing whatsoever that is better than truthfulness.
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Explanation
The chapter and this section of Thirukkural concludes with a definitive statement. Of all truths discovered, none surpasses truthfulness itself as a virtue. Truth is the ultimate good, the foundation of all moral life.
விளக்கம்
வாய்மையே சிறந்த அறம். நாம் அறிந்த உண்மைகளில், வாய்மையை விட மேலான நற்குணம் வேறொன்றுமில்லை. வாய்மை எல்லா நன்மைகளுக்கும் அடிப்படை. எப்போதும் உண்மையே பேசு.
Word meanings
- யாம்yāmwe
- மெய்யாmeyyāas truth
- கண்டவற்றுள்kaṇṭavaṟṟuḷamong what we have seen
- இல்லைillaithere is not
- எனைத்தொன்றும்eṉaittoṉṟumanything whatsoever
- வாய்மையின்vāymaiyiṉthan truthfulness
- நல்லnallabetter
- பிறpiṟaother
Story behind this kural
In a small village nestled beside a whispering forest, lived a woodcutter named Arul. Known for his honesty, Arul always spoke the truth, even when it was difficult. One day, the king's men came, seeking the finest timber for a new palace. They offered a handsome price, but Arul knew the forest's health was fragile. He could have easily earned the riches, but he truthfully explained the potential harm of excessive cutting. The king's men, initially angered, stormed off. Days later, a great storm raged, felling many trees. Other woodcutters, greedy for profit, saw their stores destroyed. Arul, however, found his small cottage unharmed, and the forest, though bruised, remained. The king, hearing of Arul's wisdom, returned. He offered Arul the task of overseeing the forest's care, a position of great respect and responsibility. The villagers learned that true wealth lay not in fleeting riches, but in the unwavering truth.