Truthfulness
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maṉattoṭu vāymai moḻiyiṟ ṟavattoṭu / tāṉañ ceyvāriṟ ṟalai
“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.”
One who speaks truth in full agreement with the mind stands above those who combine austerity with giving.
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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
If one speaks truth with total sincerity of heart, that integrity is far superior to the combined virtue of those who perform intense spiritual penance and extensive charitable gifts.