PrepMaticThirukkural · அறத்துப்பால் · துறவறவியல்
வாய்மை: Veracity
About this chapter
வாய்மை, veracity, is the Thirukkural's chapter on truthfulness. Its first kural defines truth by its effect on others, and the chapter then ranks it above nearly every other virtue.
Kural 291 says truth is speech free of any harm. Kural 292 follows with a striking qualification: even a falsehood counts as truth if it brings a good free of fault. Kural 293 warns against lying knowingly, since the liar's own mind will burn him afterwards, and Kural 294 says the person who is true in heart lives in the hearts of all. Kural 295 holds that truth from the heart is better than penance together with giving, and Kural 296 that there is no praise like that of never lying. Kural 297 goes further, saying that if one avoids falsehood, it is well even if no other virtue is practised. Kurals 298 and 299 use the images of water and light: water cleans the body, while truth cleans the mind, and of all lamps, the lamp of truth is the true lamp of the wise. Kural 300 closes with the claim that among all good things the author has seen, none is better than truth.
Kural 298 and Kural 300 are the two to know first, for their clear wording. Kural 292 is the one to study carefully, since it shows how the definition works.
For the syllabus, the chapter is central to universal values.
The 10 kurals of வாய்மை
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
வாய்மை எனப்படுவது யாதெனின் யாதொன்றும்
தீமை இலாத சொலல்.
Vaaimai Enappatuvadhu Yaadhenin Yaadhondrum
Theemai Ilaadha Solal
You ask, in lips of men what 'truth' may be;'Tis speech from every taint of evil free
பொய்மையும் வாய்மை யிடத்த புரைதீர்ந்த
நன்மை பயக்கும் எனின்.
Poimaiyum Vaaimai Yitaththa Puraidheerndha
Nanmai Payakkum Enin
Falsehood may take the place of truthful word, If blessing, free from fault, it can afford
தன்நெஞ் சறிவது பொய்யற்க பொய்த்தபின்
தன்நெஞ்சே தன்னைச் சுடும்.
Thannenj Charivadhu Poiyarka Poiththapin
Thannenje Thannaich Chutum
Speak not a word which false thy own heart knowsSelf-kindled fire within the false one's spirit glows
உள்ளத்தாற் பொய்யா தொழுகின் உலகத்தார்
உள்ளத்து ளெல்லாம் உளன்.
Ullaththaar Poiyaa Thozhukin Ulakaththaar
Ullaththu Lellaam Ulan
True to his inmost soul who lives,- enshrinedHe lives in souls of all mankind
மனத்தொடு வாய்மை மொழியின் தவத்தொடு
தானஞ்செய் வாரின் தலை.
Manaththotu Vaaimai Mozhiyin Thavaththotu
Thaananjey Vaarin Thalai
Greater is he who speaks the truth with full consenting mindThan men whose lives have penitence and charity combined
பொய்யாமை அன்ன புகழில்லை எய்யாமை
எல்லா அறமுந் தரும்.
Poiyaamai Anna Pukazhillai Eyyaamai
Ellaa Aramun Tharum
No praise like that of words from falsehood free; This every virtue yields spontaneously
பொய்யாமை பொய்யாமை ஆற்றின் அறம்பிற
செய்யாமை செய்யாமை நன்று.
Poiyaamai Poiyaamai Aatrin Arampira
Seyyaamai Seyyaamai Nandru
If all your life be utter truth, the truth alone,'Tis well, though other virtuous acts be left undone
புறள்தூய்மை நீரான் அமையும் அகந்தூய்மை
வாய்மையால் காணப் படும்.
Puraldhooimai Neeraan Amaiyum Akandhooimai
Vaaimaiyaal Kaanap Patum
Outward purity the water will bestow; Inward purity from truth alone will flow
எல்லா விளக்கும் விளக்கல்ல சான்றோர்க்குப்
பொய்யா விளக்கே விளக்கு.
Ellaa Vilakkum Vilakkalla Saandrorkkup
Poiyaa Vilakke Vilakku
Every lamp is not a lamp in wise men's sight; That's the lamp with truth's pure radiance bright
யாமெய்யாக் கண்டவற்றுள் இல்லை எனைத்தொன்றும்
வாய்மையின் நல்ல பிற.
Yaameyyaak Kantavatrul Illai Enaiththondrum
Vaaimaiyin Nalla Pira
Of all good things we've scanned with studious care, There's nought that can with truthfulness compare
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