The Kural or the Maxims of Tiruvalluvar/Chapter 28
CHAPTER 28
IMPOSTURE
271. The five[1] principles of his own body smile within themselves when they see the imposture of the hypocrite.
272. Of what avail is an imposing presence when evil is in the heart and the heart is conscious thereof?
273. Behold the ungodly man putting on the puissant look of the austere : he is like a cow that grazeth about wearing a tiger's skin.
274. Behold the man who taketh cover under a saintly garb and doth evil: he is like a fowler hiding in the bush and catching birds.
275. The hypocrite pretendeth unto sanctity and sayeth, I have vanquished my passions : but he will come to grief and cry, What have I done ? and what have I done ?
276. Behold the man that hath not renounced in his heart, but walketh about like one that hath renounced, and cheateth men : there is none more hard of heart than he.
277. The kunri seed is fair on one side, but the other side of it is black : there are men who are like unto it: they are fair on the outside, but their inside is all black.
278. Many there be whose heart is impure but who bathe in holy streams and prowl about.
279. The arrow is straight and the lute hath a bend : judge thou therefore men by their acts and not by their appearance.
280. Neither matted hair thou wantest nor shaven head, if thou abstain from that which the world contemneth.
- ↑ Ether and the subtle principles of gaseousness, heat liquidity, and solidity.