Virtue

Poem : 291

You ask, in lips of men what 'truth' may be;
'Tis speech from every taint of evil free.

Explanation :
Truth is the speaking of such words as are free from the least degree of evil (to others).

Poem : 292

Falsehood may take the place of truthful word,
If blessing, free from fault, it can afford.

Explanation :
Even falsehood has the nature of truth, if it confer a benefit that is free from fault.

Poem : 293

Speak not a word which false thy own heart knows
Self-kindled fire within the false one's spirit glows.

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).

Poem : 294

True to his inmost soul who lives,- enshrined
He lives in souls of all mankind.

Explanation :
He who, in his conduct, preserves a mind free from deceit, will dwell in the minds of all men.

Poem : 295

Greater is he who speaks the truth with full consenting mind.
Than men whose lives have penitence and charity combined.

Explanation :
He, who speaks truth with all his heart, is superior to those who make gifts and practise austerities.

Poem : 296

No praise like that of words from falsehood free;
This every virtue yields spontaneously.

Explanation :
There is no praise like the praise of never uttering a falsehood; without causing any suffering, it will lead to every virtue.

Poem : 297

If all your life be utter truth, the truth alone,
'Tis well, though other virtuous acts be left undone.

Explanation :
If a man has the power to abstain from falsehood, it will be well with him, even though he practise no other virtue.

Poem : 298

Outward purity the water will bestow;
Inward purity from truth alone will flow.

Explanation :
Purity of body is produced by water and purity of mind by truthfulness.

Poem : 299

Every lamp is not a lamp in wise men's sight;
That's the lamp with truth's pure radiance bright.

Explanation :
All lamps of nature are not lamps; the lamp of truth is the lamp of the wise.

Poem : 300

Of all good things we've scanned with studious care,
There's nought that can with truthfulness compare.

Explanation :
Amidst all that we have seen (described) as real (excellence), there is nothing so good as truthfulness.