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COMPENDIUM OF JAINISM
Deceit and cunning bring in the influx of new Karmas because they defile the mind and thoughts. When detected, they bring disgrace and loss of personal prestige. A straight-forward person will have no quarrels with others and his mind would be free from passion or greed. He would be able to purge off his sins and prevent the influx of new Karmas. He would be friendly with everybody and would have no occasion to give offence to anybody.
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4) Uttama Satya or Perfect Truthfulness
The topic of "truth" has been already discussed under the title of five Aṇuvratas. The fact that it is again included in the category of ten noble virtues only indicates that Jainism attaches very great importance to it as its practice in everyday life is the key to purity of life. Mahatma Gandhi regarded Truth and Non-violence as the basis of private and public life. Both are like two sides of a coin. Truth is the law of our being. He was a great seeker after Truth and was bent upon finding it. To him, truth was identical with God. Truth is what the voice within tells you, says Gandhiji. Truth cannot be be realised by one who has no humility. "Where there is no Truth, there can be no true knowledge." Truth, like bliss, is eternal... Out of Truth emanate love, tenderness and humility. A votary of Truth has to be humble as the dust. His humility increases with the observance of Truth.3
Truth is the virtue of the pure; it is simple and free from bitterness or arrogance; it does not suffer from the weakness of falsehood or scandal. A truthful man is always gentle but firm; he does not waver in his talk because he is free from fear or anger.
Truth always triumphs. It wins the confidence and trust of others. It forms the basis of a good deeds in the world. Without it, there can be no real progress of the individual or the community at large.
Utterance of truth should be avoided where the result is likely to bring harm to another. It should also be avoided where
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