Couplet: You ask, in lips of men what 'truth' may be; 'Tis speech from every taint of evil free English Explanation: Truth is the speaking of such words as are free from the least degree of evil (to others) Transliteration: Vaaimai Enappatuvadhu Yaadhenin Yaadhondrum Theemai Ilaadha Solal
Couplet: Falsehood may take the place of truthful word, If blessing, free from fault, it can afford English Explanation: Even falsehood has the nature of truth, if it confer a benefit that is free from fault Transliteration: Poimaiyum Vaaimai Yitaththa Puraidheerndha Nanmai Payakkum Enin
Couplet: Speak not a word which false thy own heart knows Self-kindled fire within the false one's spirit glows English Explanation: 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) Transliteration: Thannenj Charivadhu Poiyarka Poiththapin Thannenje Thannaich Chutum
Couplet: True to his inmost soul who lives,- enshrined He lives in souls of all mankind English Explanation: He who, in his conduct, preserves a mind free from deceit, will dwell in the minds of all men Transliteration: Ullaththaar Poiyaa Thozhukin Ulakaththaar Ullaththu Lellaam Ulan
Couplet: Greater is he who speaks the truth with full consenting mind Than men whose lives have penitence and charity combined English Explanation: He, who speaks truth with all his heart, is superior to those who make gifts and practise austerities Transliteration: Manaththotu Vaaimai Mozhiyin Thavaththotu Thaananjey Vaarin Thalai
Couplet: No praise like that of words from falsehood free; This every virtue yields spontaneously English Explanation: There is no praise like the praise of never uttering a falsehood: without causing any suffering, it will lead to every virtue Transliteration: Poiyaamai Anna Pukazhillai Eyyaamai Ellaa Aramun Tharum
Couplet: If all your life be utter truth, the truth alone, 'Tis well, though other virtuous acts be left undone English Explanation: If a man has the power to abstain from falsehood, it will be well with him, even though he practise no other virtue Transliteration: Poiyaamai Poiyaamai Aatrin Arampira Seyyaamai Seyyaamai Nandru
Couplet: Outward purity the water will bestow; Inward purity from truth alone will flow English Explanation: Purity of body is produced by water and purity of mind by truthfulness Transliteration: Puraldhooimai Neeraan Amaiyum Akandhooimai Vaaimaiyaal Kaanap Patum
Couplet: Every lamp is not a lamp in wise men's sight; That's the lamp with truth's pure radiance bright English Explanation: All lamps of nature are not lamps; the lamp of truth is the lamp of the wise Transliteration: Ellaa Vilakkum Vilakkalla Saandrorkkup Poiyaa Vilakke Vilakku
Couplet: Of all good things we've scanned with studious care, There's nought that can with truthfulness compare English Explanation: Amidst all that we have seen (described) as real (excellence), there is nothing so good as truthfulness Transliteration: Yaameyyaak Kantavatrul Illai Enaiththondrum Vaaimaiyin Nalla Pira