Tirukkural-On Virtue-On Right Conduct-Kural 132

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Right conduct ultimately matters even to the learned and the wise,And has, therefore, to be zealously guarded.

Even in respect of the cultured sages right conduct matters and so it is essential to ensure discipline conduct at all times. Rajaji comments that the Upanishands have a similar warning enjoining that, in the absence of a well-regulated life nothing will avail, even if one is most learned in the philosophies.

It is probably on a full appreciation of this principle that the Buddhist and Jain ways of life set so much store by right conduct. The only difference is that in the Valluvar way of life the approach is from a rational and not so much a religious angle.

The Christian precept 'Be ye, therefore, perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect' echoes the same sentiment from the religious angle.