வஞ்ச மனத்தவனின் திருட்டு நடத்தையைக் கண்டு அவன் உடம்போடு கலந்து இருக்கும் நிலம், நீர், தீ, காற்று, ஆகாயம் என்னும் ஐந்து பூதங்களும் தமக்குள் சிரிக்கும்.

ஒழுக்க சீலரைப் போல உலகத்தை ஏமாற்றும் வஞ்சகரைப் பார்த்து அவரது உடலில் கலந்துள்ள நிலம், நீர், தீ, காற்று, வெளி எனப்படும் பஞ்சபூதங்களும் தமக்குள் சிரித்துக் கொள்ளும்

வஞ்சமனம் உடையவனது பொய்யொழுக்கத்தை அவனுடைய உடம்பில் கலந்து நிற்க்கும் ஐந்து பூதங்களும் கண்டு தம்முள் சிரிக்கும்.

The five elements (of his body) will laugh within him at the feigned conduct of the deceitful minded man

Kural 271 delves into the inherent nature of deceit and the consequences it holds for the person who indulges in it. The verse uses the metaphor of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether/space) that constitute the human body to convey its profound message. This verse suggests that when a person with a deceitful mind pretends to act virtuously, his very own body mocks at his hypocrisy. The five elements, which are believed to form the human body, laugh within him, illustrating the fact that deceit cannot be hidden and is evident to the core of one's being. The verse underscores the moral principle that dishonesty is not only visible to the outside world, but it is also recognized and ridiculed by the very elements that form the dishonest person. The essence of this teaching is that true virtue comes from sincerity and authenticity, not from false pretenses or deceitful conduct. The verse encourages individuals to act with integrity and honesty, as false conduct is not only recognized by others but also by our own selves, at a fundamental level. This verse also emphasizes the importance of the alignment between our thoughts, words, and actions. When these are not in harmony, the dissonance causes internal conflict, represented here by the laughter of the five elements.