மனத்துள் எதையும் வெறுக்காமல், வெளியே வெறுத்தவர் போல் ஏமாற்றி வாழும் மனிதரைக் காட்டிலும் கொடியவர், இவ்வுலகத்தில் இல்லை.

உண்மையிலேயே மனதாரப் பற்றுகளைத் துறக்காமல் துறந்தவரைப் போல் வாழ்கின்ற வஞ்சகர்களைவிட இரக்கமற்றவர் யாருமில்லை

மனத்தில் பற்றுக்களைத் துறக்காமல் துறந்தவரைப் போல் வஞ்சனைச் செய்து வாழ்கின்றவரைப் போல் இரக்கமற்றவர் எவரும் இல்லை.

Amongst living men there are none so hard-hearted as those who without to saking (desire) in their heart, falsely take the appearance of those who have forsaken (it)

This verse from Thiru Kural emphasizes the deception of individuals who pretend to have renounced the world and its desires when they have not done so truly in their hearts. In essence, the verse criticizes the hypocrisy of such individuals. The verse suggests that there are no people more heartless than those who live a life of falsehood, pretending to have renounced all desires but still harboring them in their hearts. These individuals present a false image of themselves to the world as ascetics or renunciates, while secretly engaging in the very desires they claim to have given up. They deceive others through their dishonesty and insincerity. In terms of cultural context, the practice of renunciation is highly respected in Indian philosophy which advocates detachment from worldly desires as a path to enlightenment. However, this verse condemns those who exploit this respect by pretending to be renunciates for personal gain or deceitful purposes. The moral interpretation of the verse is clear: honesty and sincerity are more important than outward appearances. It's better to be honest about one's desires than to falsely claim to have renounced them. Ultimately, true renunciation is a matter of the heart and cannot be faked.