Truthfulness

Satyam also goes deeper than the surface meaning of truthfulness. Just because we speak the truth does not mean we are speaking Satyam. We must also live the truth. Our thoughts, values, words and actions must all be aligned.

Often we say one thing in front of others and then do another. We often hear the term “Do as I say, not as I do” and this in not Satyam. Satyam means being true and fulfilling our word.

However, Satyam doesn’t mean we have to tell everything. Being truthful does not mean telling everything in all circumstances to everyone. The scripture says we should practice that speech which is truthful and kind and beneficial. So if the truth is neither kind nor beneficial or crucial to the listener, then it should not be spoken.