30.1 Truth

 30.1 Truth 

Question:

What is truth? 

Answer:

Speech that is in accordance with fact but not causing any harm

whatsoever to anyone is truth.                                                                (kural – 291) 

வாய்மை எனப்படுவது யாதெனின் யாதொன்றும்

தீமை இலாத சொலல்.                                                                                    (குறள் – 291)

 

Explanation:

Truth is difficult to define. Philosophers have struggled to come up with a clear definition of truth that covers its many aspects. Among the many definitions and theories regarding truth, the one given in Merriam Webster's dictionary is simple and straightforward. Merriam Webster's dictionary defines truth as the property of being in accord with fact or reality. In other words, a statement is said to be true if it is in accordance with fact or reality. 

             Valluvar has a slightly different definition of truth. He states that truth is speech that is free from all evil. Valluvar's definition of truth seems to imply that truth is different than mere fact. According to him, truth is not merely a factual statement. It is more than that. As Dr. T. P. Menakshisundaran, a renowned Tamil scholar, points out, "Truth is not terminal exactitude. But it is the manifestation of the inner arul (compassion) in speech." It is the intent behind what is said that makes it a truth.