# XXX: Truthfulness explained — The Kural

> Chapter companion for The Kural by Thiruvalluvar.

## What happens

This chapter extols the virtue of truthfulness, defining it as speech free from evil, and even permitting falsehood if it brings unmixed good. It emphasizes that truthfulness brings inner peace, universal respect, and surpasses asceticism and almsgiving, and that a truthful person needs no other virtue. The purity of heart is shown through truthfulness, which is considered the highest light in the world.

## Themes in this chapter

### Virtue and Righteousness

Truthfulness is presented as the highest virtue, surpassing asceticism and almsgiving, and as the foundation of all other virtues.

### Social Harmony and Ethics

Truthfulness is essential for social trust and harmony, as a truthful person reigns in the hearts of all and avoids bearing false witness.

## Character check-ins

### Thiruvalluvar

The author of the Kural, presenting the teachings on truthfulness.

### the Kural

The text itself, which is the source of the verses on truthfulness.

## Key lines

> What is truthfulness? It is the speaking of that which is free from even the slightest taint of evil. Even falsehood is of the nature of truth if it bringeth forth unmixed good.

Truthfulness means speaking without any evil intent; a lie can be considered truthful if it results in pure good.

_Defines truthfulness with a pragmatic exception for beneficial falsehood._

> Behold the man whose heart is fixed in truthfulness: he is greater than the austere and greater than he that distributeth alms.

A person steadfast in truthfulness surpasses even the most ascetic and the most generous in virtue.

_Elevates truthfulness above other major virtues._

> If a man can live without ever uttering a falsehood, all other virtue is superfluous unto him.

If someone never lies, they need no other virtues to be righteous.

_Emphasizes truthfulness as the all-sufficient virtue._

> The cleanliness of the body belongeth unto water: but the purity of the heart is proved by truthfulness.

Water cleanses the body, but truthfulness reveals the purity of the soul.

_Contrasts external cleanliness with inner purity._

> Many things have I seen in this world: but of all the things that I have seen, there is nothing that is higher than truth.

In all my worldly experience, I have found nothing greater than truth.

_Concludes that truth is the supreme value._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters/xxx-truthfulness
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_kural_se/chapters