The works of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya

Praśnottararatnamālikā

Verse 48

कुत्रानृतेऽप्यपापां यच्चोक्तं धर्मरक्षार्थम् ।को धर्मोऽभिमतो यः शिष्टानां निजकुलीनानाम् ॥ ४७ ॥

In plain words

Where does an untruth remain free of sin? When it is spoken to protect righteousness. And what is accepted as true righteousness? That practiced by the wise and those of noble lineage.

Close to the Sanskrit

Where even in untruth is there sinlessness? That which is spoken for the protection of dharma. What is approved as dharma? That of the wise and of one's own noble lineage.