Truthfulness
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
poymaiyum vāymai yiṭatta puraitīrnta / naṉmai payakku meṉiṉ
Even a false statement may stand with truth if—and only if—it produces a good wholly free from fault.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Falsehood may take the place of truthful word, / If blessing, free from fault, it can afford.”
“Even falsehood is of the nature of truth if it bringeth forth unmixed good.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
புரை தீர்ந்த நன்மை பயக்கும் எனின்= பிறர்க்கு; குற்றந் தீர்ந்த நன்மையைப் பயக்குமாயின்; பொய்ம்மையும் வாய்மை இடத்த=; பொய்ம்மைச் சொற்களும் மெய்ம்மைச் சொற்களின்பாலவாம்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar permits a false statement to be counted with truthful speech only when it benefits another and the resulting good is entirely without fault. The test is exceptional and demanding, not a licence for convenience or concealed wrongdoing.
This verse is in tension
AI draft · pending scholar review