Thirukkural-On Virtue-Truthfulness-Kural-292

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Even untruth might attain the value of truth,If it is productive of unmixed good, without the least blemish.

An absolutely correct statement of facts is verbal truth. If it is also such that it does not cause harm to any living creature it is 'real truth' of Valluvar's definition in Kural 291. On the other hand, there may be some statements, which are factually not quite correct, but bring forth unmixed good. According to Valluvar such statements may also be classed with truth, provided there is not even a concealed defect in it. "Puraitheerndha Nanmai" is the operative phrase here and is extremely expressive-no hidden cancerous cell there.

The eminent Greek Philosopher Plato, of a date prior to Thiruvalluvar, has discussed in his 'Republic;, the concept of the 'Noble lie,' which statesman may use under certain circumstances as an instrument of state-craft or education. G C Field who discusses this matter in his book entitle 'The Philosophy of Plato' quotes as example, Mr. Churchill's terminological inexactitudes', used during World War II, as a means of deceiving the enemy, in the national interest.

In the Mahabharatha, Dharmaputra's true statement, drowned in noise and made to appear false, in order to produce a certain good result, was also considered to come under this category. In Tamil Nadu the proverb that even a thousand lies would be worthwhile to bring about a marriage, is based on the same principle of Plato's 'Noble lie'.

Shakespeare projected an allied thought when he wrote,

'If I do lie and do no harm by it, though the Gods hear, I hope they 'I ll pardon it'

But this does not satisfy Valluvar's acid test. Only truth should be accompanied by harmlessness; untruth should be productive of positive good to qualify for being classed with truth. Untruth which is just harmless may be fun but not truth.