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principles which are not in harmony with reason either adds to his respectability as a man of moral principles or increases his importance in society.
Therefore when occasions arise under such restrictions as are stated by Sri Krishna, there may be a deviation from the strict truth.
One should therefore also judge well, when such similar occasions happen, whether the sin that is committed by uttering an untruth is greater or smaller than the sin that is committed by speaking a truth, the consequence of which is injury to the innocent. If it is greater, speak the truth; if it is smaller, speak untruth. If you keep this principle in your mind, you may be said to be "True in Word."
Bhishma, on being asked to explain hat is truth by Yudhishthira, classed
