Thirukkural On Virtue-Avoidance of Fraud-Kural-281

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All who seek to be free of ill-repute and others' contempt, Shall guard against fraudulent and deceitful thoughts.

Those who eschew fraud and deceit even in thought will achieve freedom from ill-repute and contempt.

The above interpretation is in line with manakudavar's meaning of the word 'Ellaamai' as 'freedom from contempt by others'. Kalingar would define 'others' as learned and good men. This could also be accommodated in interpretation, but not the far-fetched idea of Parimelalagar, who would say that 'Ellaamai' means 'not making light of heaven as a desirable goal'.

In this chapter, the fraud and deceit, about which ascetics are cautioned, relate to the coveting of other people's personal possessions.