The Absence of Fraud
Kalavinkan Kandriya Kaadhal Vilaivinkan / Veeyaa Vizhumam Tharum
Classical English couplet — “The lust inveterate of fraudful gain,Yields as its fruit undying pain”
What it says in plain words
“A strong desire to steal or cheat others brings lasting pain. The harm comes when those actions lead to trouble.”
The classical Tamil reading
களவு செய்து பிறர் பொருள் கொள்ளுதலில் ஒருவனுக்கு உள்ள மிகுந்த விருப்பம், பயன் விளையும் போது தொலையாதத் துன்பத்தைத் தரும்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
களவு செய்வதில் ஒருவனுக்கு ஏற்படும் தணியாத தாகம், அதனால் உருவாகும் விளைவுகளால் தீராத துன்பத்தை உண்டாக்கும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
Wanting other people's money or things can feed the urge to steal. What seems like an easy gain can bring lasting trouble. Taking from others can damage trust at home or work. The warning is simple: dishonest gain brings lasting pain.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You return a lost wallet instead of keeping the money.
- Workplace
- You report your actual work hours instead of claiming extra pay.
- Family
- You ask before taking money from a family member's purse.
- Society
- A volunteer uses money collected for meals only to buy those meals.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Think about lasting harm before taking something that belongs to someone else.
- Integrity
- Leave other people's money alone, even when nobody is watching.
- Communication
- Give honest prices instead of hiding extra charges from customers.
- Leadership
- Make clear that stealing is unacceptable, even when it brings quick gains.
- Governance
- Keep public money for public needs, not personal spending.
For leaders and teams
Help others see that quick gains can bring lasting harm. Never encourage stealing or cheating to reach a goal.
Something to sit with
“What helps you resist taking something that is not yours?”