Thirukkural Chapter 29 - The Absence of Fraud


Couplet 281 
Who seeks heaven's joys, from impious levity secure,
Let him from every fraud preserve his spirit pure
Explanation
Let him, who desires not to be despised, keep his mind from (the desire of) defrauding another of the smallest thing

Couplet 282 
'Tis sin if in the mind man but thought conceive;
'By fraud I will my neighbour of his wealth bereave.'
Explanation
Even the thought (of sin) is sin; think not then of crafiily stealing the property of another

Couplet 283 
The gain that comes by fraud, although it seems to grow
With limitless increase, to ruin swift shall go
Explanation
The property, which is acquired by fraud, will entirely perish, even while it seems to increase

Couplet 284 
The lust inveterate of fraudful gain,
Yields as its fruit undying pain
Explanation
The eager desire of defrauding others will, when it brings forth its fruit, produce undying sorrow

Couplet 285 
'Grace' is not in their thoughts, nor know they kind affection's power,
Who neighbour's goods desire, and watch for his unguarded hour
Explanation
The study of kindness and the exercise of benevolence is not with those who watch for another's forgetfulness, though desire of his property

Couplet 286 
They cannot walk restrained in wisdom's measured bound,
In whom inveterate lust of fraudful gain is found
Explanation
They cannot walk steadfastly, according to rule, who eagerly desire to defraud others

Couplet 287 
Practice of fraud's dark cunning arts they shun,
Who long for power by 'measured wisdom' won
Explanation
That black-knowledge which is called fraud, is not in those who desire that greatness which is called rectitude

Couplet 288 
As virtue dwells in heart that 'measured wisdom' gains;
Deceit in hearts of fraudful men established reigns
Explanation
Deceit dwells in the mind of those who are conversant with fraud, even as virtue in the minds of those who are conversant with rectitude

Couplet 289 
Who have no lore save that which fraudful arts supply,
Acts of unmeasured vice committing straightway die
Explanation
Those, who are acquainted with nothing but fraud, will perish in the very commission of transgression

Couplet 290 
The fraudful forfeit life and being here below;
Who fraud eschew the bliss of heavenly beings know
Explanation
Even their body will fail the fraudulent; but even the world of the gods will not fail those who are free from fraud