30. Veracity

Chapter. 30. Veracity
Kural - 291
You ask, in lips of men what 'truth' may be;
'Tis speech from every taint of evil free.
Meaning : Truth is the speaking of such words as are free from the least degree of evil (to others).
Kural - 292
Falsehood may take the place of truthful word,
If blessing, free from fault, it can afford.
Meaning : Even falsehood has the nature of truth, if it confer a benefit that is free from fault.
Kural - 293
Speak not a word which false thy own heart knows
Self-kindled fire within the false one's spirit glows.
Meaning : Let not a man knowingly tell a lie; for after he has told the lie, his mind will burn him (with the memory of his guilt).
Kural - 294
True to his inmost soul who lives,- enshrined
He lives in souls of all mankind.
Meaning : He who, in his conduct, preserves a mind free from deceit, will dwell in the minds of all men.
Kural - 295
Greater is he who speaks the truth with full consenting mind.
Than men whose lives have penitence and charity combined.
Meaning : He, who speaks truth with all his heart, is superior to those who make gifts and practise austerities.
Kural - 296
No praise like that of words from falsehood free;
This every virtue yields spontaneously.
Meaning : There is no praise like the praise of never uttering a falsehood: without causing any suffering, it will lead to every virtue.
Kural - 297
If all your life be utter truth, the truth alone,
'Tis well, though other virtuous acts be left undone.
Meaning : If a man has the power to abstain from falsehood, it will be well with him, even though he practise no other virtue.
Kural - 298
Outward purity the water will bestow;
Inward purity from truth alone will flow.
Meaning : Purity of body is produced by water and purity of mind by truthfulness.
Kural - 299
Every lamp is not a lamp in wise men's sight;
That's the lamp with truth's pure radiance bright.
Meaning : All lamps of nature are not lamps; the lamp of truth is the lamp of the wise.
Kural - 300
Of all good things we've scanned with studious care,
There's nought that can with truthfulness compare.
Meaning : Amidst all that we have seen (described) as real (excellence), there is nothing so good as truthfulness.