Truthfulness
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
maṉattoṭu vāymai moḻiyiṟ ṟavattoṭu / tāṉañ ceyvāriṟ ṟalai
One who speaks truth in full agreement with the mind stands above those who combine austerity with giving.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Greater is he who speaks the truth with full consenting mind. / Than men whose lives have penitence and charity combined.”
“Behold the man whose heart is fixed in truthfulness: he is greater than the austere and greater than he that distributeth alms.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
மனத்தொடு வாய்மை மொழியின்= ஒருவன் தன் மனத்தொடு பொருந்த வாய்மையைச் சொல்வானாயின்; தவத்தொடு தானம் செய்வாரின் தலை= அவன், தவமும் தானமும் ஒருங்குசெய்வாரினும் சிறப்புடையன்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar ranks inwardly aligned truthful speech above the combined merit of austerity and charity. This ethical superlative praises integrity; it does not make truth a substitute for generosity, consent, compassion, skill, or responsible action.