Thirukkural-On Virtue-Truthfulness-Kural-291

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If one's speech does not wrong any living creature, While being factually correct, that is truthfulness.

'What is Truth?' asked Jesting Pilate and would not wait for an answer. But Valluvar asked 'What is truth?' and has himself given the answer. It is speech that is free from all evil. Truth is not truth, Rajaji would say, if it is spoken to further some wrong. The acid test of truth for right conduct is its essential harmlessness. Truth, therefore, is factual veracity plus something which is harmlessness. Gita (17,15) envisages speech, which causes no vexation and is true, as also agreeable and beneficial, as truly austere speech.

This couplet along with the next would provide an explanatory definition of Truthfulness. Parimelalagar's interpretations in this connection are precise and superb and I have adopted his line.

This chapter deals with Truthfulness or 'Vaaimai'. Actually the integrated concept of truth is described better as 'Poiyaamai'. For truth could be projected by thought, word and deed (ullam, vaai, mei). These aspects of truth are respectively 'Unmai', Vaaimai' 'Meimai'. All of them could be covered by the general term 'Poiyaamai' or truthfulness.

That is also the concept of 'Sathyam' that Gandhiji preached and practiced.