Guest guest Posted March 4, 2003 Report Share Posted March 4, 2003 Hi, > 1. Is 'not speaking the truth' (for instance by providing evasive or > ambiguous answers) different from explicit lies? Is it better, or is > it worse and more importantly, is it justifiable under some > conditions? There is a verse in a Tamil book of ethics called Thirukkural. It says, " Truthfulness is defined as not speaking anything harmful. " So even if something is a fact, if it causes only harm and not any good, it is not Truth. There is a Samskrit verse which says " Dont speak unpleasant truth. Dont speak falsehood to be pleasing. " So, what I have understood is - Speak the fact, unless it is harmful. Also, often NOT speaking the fact at the right time at the right place causes harm, and thus is equivalent to being untruthful. So in my opinion, it has to be seen from the situation. > 2. What are the limits to selfishness? When something I do benefits > me but harms another being in the process, is it justifiable for me > to still continue with this action? Or is it bad, although I might > sincerely believe that I am doing my duty and hence should not be too > concerned with the effects my action might have on another being. The very definition of " benefit " and " harm " is relative. A student, out of ignorance, may consider a teacher's scolding as a " harm " done to him. What we consider beneficial from our little intelligence may in fact turn out to be harmful. All that we can do is not to intentionally cause harm to others. With this assumption, if something were to harm others but benefit us, it may benefit us materially for the time being, but harm us spiritually in the long run. It is upto us to choose between the matter and the spirit. One thing I have learnt is this: Give, give, give. Give money, help, emotional support, knowledge, etc. If I have lost anything in life, it has never been because of giving. It has been only because of clinging to what I have or want. Whenever something is given, something of higher value is bound to come. That is the Law. With regards, Gomu. ===== --------------- Webpage: http://www.geocities.com/gokulmuthu/ --------------- ______________________ Missed your favourite TV serial last night? Try the new, TV. visit http://in.tv. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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