Thirukkural-On Virtue-Avoidance Of Killing-Kural 323

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Non-killing by itself is an outstanding virtue,while non-lying as a virtue, comes only next in precedence.

Non-killing is the greatest single virtue; Non-lying comes next.

Parimelalagar brings out a plausible explanation for the Poet"s positive statement of precedence, between the virtue of non-killing and truthfulness. The latter, according to the commentator, is after all only a relative virtue, in as much as truth is no truth if it is productive of evil, while even untruth becomes truth under certain circumstances, if it brings about unmixed good. Non-killing on the other hand, is an absolute virtue. Hence the special precedence, a justification for which may also be the connected fact that Non-killing is Truthfulness in action. That is why 'Araneri" says,

'Onraaha nalladhu uyiroambal'
Non-killing is virtue par excellence