What do R. Shimon’s three categories refer to and how does his list relate to the statement of Shimon haTzaddik that the world stands upon Torah, avoda and gemilut chassadim ? R. Ovadia Bartenura and the Tosafot Yom Tov explain that the earlier mishna referred to those things for which the world was created whereas our mishna speaks of those items that preserve society. The two need not go hand in hand. Individuals can excel at Torah study, prayer and benevolence but they cannot establish a flourishing society lacking truth or peace.

Rambam connects this list with his view on the goals of human life. In several places, Rambam writes that humanity should strive towards intellectual and ethical perfection and that achieving those goals depends upon a stable and just society (Moreh Nevuchim 3:27, 54, Shemoneh Perakim chapters 2, 4). According to his interpretation, “truth” refers to intellectual cognition, “peace” to moral greatness, and “justice” to a society enabling such flourishing.

Tifferet Yisrael suggests that the mishna presents an ascending order of care for others. “Justice’ means that we do not physically harm other people or hurt them financially. “Truth” means that we avoid verbal damaging people via lying or tale bearing. Finally, “peace” mandates that we not content ourselves with not harming others; rather, we take initiative to resolve conflicts even when we had no direct involvement in the conflict.

Rabbenu Yona adds a powerful comment on the need to promote truthfulness. He cites a Talmudic story in which Chiya, the son of Rav, begins to fabricate in an attempt to resolve tension between Rav and Rav’s wife. Rav appreciates his son’s efforts but instructs him to stop so as not to acquire the trait of prevarication (Yevamot 62B). Rabbenu Yona explains that a person should avoid lying even about insignificant matters because that leads to falsehood even about the most important things. Commitment to the truth represents such a significant ideal that we cannot allow falsehood to become part of our regular routine, even when noble motivations seem to justify the repeated lying.