Him I call indeed a Brâhmana who utters true speech, instructive and free from harshness, so that he offend no one.
A shared theme
Truthfulness & Integrity
Truth-telling, honest weights and measures, kept promises and fair judgement are commanded in strikingly similar terms across the traditions. Several go further and identify Truth itself with the Divine: the Sikh Mool Mantar names God 'Sat Nam', True Name; the Upanishads say 'satyam eva jayate', truth alone triumphs.
Buddhism
3 versesChristianity
6 versesA false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
Confucianism
7 versesThe Master said, "Yu, shall I teach you what knowledge is? When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it;—this is knowledge."
Hinduism
2 versesThe true prevails, not the untrue; by the true the path is laid out, the way of the gods (devayânah), on which the old sages, satisfied in their desires, proceed to where there is that highest place of the True One.
Islam
9 versesO ye who believe! Fear Allah, and (always) say a word directed to the Right:
Jainism
4 versesBy sincerity in religious practice he obtains proficiency in it; being proficient in it he will act up to his words.
Judaism
8 versesKeep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile.
Sikhism
2 versesTruth is higher than everything; but higher still is truthful living.
Sufism
1 verse“Cherish the poor, and seek not thine own comfort. The shepherd should not sleep while the wolf is among the sheep. Protect the needy, for a king wears his crown for the sake of his subjects. The people are as the root and the king as the tree; and the tree, O son, gains strength from the root. He should not oppress the people who has fear of injury to his kingdom. Seek not plenteousness in that land where the people are afflicted by the king. Fear them that are proud and them that fear not God.”
Taoism
0 versesNo passage in the collection yet.
Where the traditions differ
Jainism's satya (truth) is one of five great vows and is bounded by ahimsa: a truth that harms should not be spoken. Confucian texts prize sincerity (cheng) and trustworthiness (xin) as foundations of social order. The Abrahamic prohibition on false witness is framed within law and covenant. Buddhist 'right speech' includes not only truth but timing and kindness. Across all, the convergence on honesty in trade — just scales — is especially close.