The Absence of Fraud - Tirukkural - Ascetic Virtue

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

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

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

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

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.
The study of kindness and the exercise of benevolence is not with those who watch for another's forgetfulness, though desire of his property.

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

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

288
As virtue dwells in heart that 'measured wisdom' gains;
Deceit in hearts of fraudful men established reigns.
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.

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

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