The Absence of Fraud
Ullaththaal Ullalum Theedhe Piranporulaik / Kallaththaal Kalvem Enal
Classical English couplet — “'Tis sin if in the mind man but thought conceive;'By fraud I will my neighbour of his wealth bereave.'”
What it says in plain words
“Even planning to take someone else's things through tricks is wrong. Do not make plans to secretly take what belongs to others.”
The classical Tamil reading
குற்றமானதை உள்ளத்தால் எண்ணுவதும் குற்றமே, அதானால் பிறன் பொருளை அவன் அறியாதப் வகையால் வஞ்சித்துக்கொள்வோம் என்று எண்ணாதிருக்க வேண்டும்.
An expanded Tamil interpretation
பிறருக்குரிய பொருளைச் சூழ்ச்சியினால் கவர்ந்து கொள்ளலாமா என்று ஒருவன் நினைப்பதேகூடக் குற்றமாகும்
The ethical and philosophical heart
This couplet asks us to notice our plans, not just actions. Honesty starts with our thoughts, before we touch another person's belongings. Planning a trick already treats their money or things as ours. Respecting what belongs to others means refusing to make such plans.
In personal life, work and society
- Personal
- You find a wallet and reject the idea of secretly keeping its money.
- Workplace
- You reject a plan to claim money for work expenses you never paid.
- Family
- You stop planning how to take your sibling's savings without them knowing.
- Society
- You reject a scheme to secretly take money collected for a community meal.
How to apply this today
- Decision-making
- Reject plans that involve secretly taking someone else's money or belongings.
- Integrity
- Respect other people's belongings, even when nobody can see your plans.
- Communication
- Do not help friends plan tricks to take someone's money.
- Leadership
- Stop dishonest plans before your team puts them into action.
- Governance
- Reject schemes that hide the taking of public money.
For leaders and teams
Teach those you guide to reject dishonest plans early. Do not wait until money or belongings have been taken.
Something to sit with
“How could you better respect what belongs to others in your plans today?”