The main differences between the concepts of “pravda” and “istina” lie in their object and sphere of application, both in philosophical discourse and in everyday speech.

Dual Facets of Truth: Objective Reality and Personal Integrity

The main differences between the concepts of “pravda” and “istina” lie in their object and sphere of application, both in philosophical discourse and in everyday speech.

In the philosophical context, “istina” is associated with the objective aspect of existence – with the structure of the world, natural facts, and historical events. This is illustrated in the following excerpt:
"Meanwhile, the word 'istina' is used in the plural: simple truths, difficult truths, truths revealed in childhood. Truths – a darkness: 'I cherish the darkness of low truths more than the exalted deception of us.' Truths – a darkness, while pravda is singular.

Why?

Because the subject of istina is the facts of nature and history, whose manifestations are innumerable. The subject of pravda is singular: man. Istina is about nature. Pravda is about man." (source: link txt)

Thus, istina is perceived as knowledge that unveils the objective structure of the world, capable of having various manifestations due to the endless number of facts and patterns in nature.

At the same time, in the philosophical sense, pravda is tied to human dignity, moral qualities, and personal worldview. This concept reflects the unique measure of a person, the degree to which one approaches an ideal, and one’s intrinsic value as an individual. This idea is conveyed in the following passage:
"Thus, let us consider. Let us assign the word 'istina' to any structure or historical process, and the word 'pravda' to the dignity of man. When we learn something about the structure of the world, nature, society, about what has happened, is happening, or will happen, we grasp istina. And when we learn something about the value of man, we grasp pravda." (source: link txt)

A similar distinction is emphasized in discussions noting that “pravda” emerged with the appearance of man and has a personal character:
"Pravda came into being only with the emergence of man; it is younger than istina, and therefore one can say 'true pravda,' but one cannot say 'truthful istina.' Istina is hidden in nature; pravda is carried within man." (source: link txt)

Thus, in everyday language, istina is used to denote objective facts—as in the question “What will the weather be like tomorrow?”—where real information about the state of affairs is expected. If one adds the requirement “pravda,” as in the expression “Tell me the pravda, what will the weather be like tomorrow?”, it implies an instruction not to deceive, emphasizing the importance of a person’s honesty.

In summary, one can say that:
• Philosophically, istina relates to general, objective knowledge of nature and history, having a plural character;
• Pravda, however, is singular and connected with man, his dignity, and moral evaluation, making it especially significant in interpersonal communication and ethical matters.

Supporting citation(s):
"Meanwhile, the word 'istina' is used in the plural: simple truths, difficult truths, truths revealed in childhood... Istina is about nature. Pravda is about man." (source: link txt)
"Thus, let us consider. Let us assign the word 'istina' to any structure or history, and the word 'pravda' to the dignity of man..." (source: link txt)
"Pravda came into being only with the emergence of man; it is younger than istina, and therefore one can say 'true pravda,' but one cannot say 'truthful istina.'" (source: link txt)