Social conventions

Expressions researched:
"social convention" |"social conventions"

Bhagavad-gita As It Is

BG Chapters 7 - 12

According to social conventions, it is said that one can speak the truth only when it is palatable to others. But that is not truthfulness.

BG 10.4-5, Purport: Satyam, truthfulness, means that facts should be presented as they are, for the benefit of others. Facts should not be misrepresented. According to social conventions, it is said that one can speak the truth only when it is palatable to others. But that is not truthfulness. The truth should be spoken in a straightforward way, so that others will understand actually what the facts are. If a man is a thief and if people are warned that he is a thief, that is truth. Although sometimes the truth is unpalatable, one should not refrain from speaking it. Truthfulness demands that the facts be presented as they are for the benefit of others. That is the definition of truth.