Tirukkural-On Virtue-On Right Conduct-Kural 139

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The men of virtue will not utter evil,Even by a slip of the tongue.

A man of Righteousness or 'Sanron', will not speak evil, even by an unconscious lapse. This idea is found directly in the following passage of the Bible:

'The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable'

(Proverbs 30:32)

The same sentiments are also recorded in Iniavai Narpathu.

Aakkam aziyinum allavai kooraadha
Thaerchiyil thaerviniya thil

Such men will see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. One is reminded in this context of the statuette of the three monkeys always kept on his desk to indicate this precept by Mahatma Gandhi.