Chapter 29: The Absence of Fraud

281.
Who seeks heaven's joys, from impious levity secure,
Let him from every fraud preserve his spirit pure.

282.
'Tis sin if in the mind man but the thought conceive:
' By fraud I will my neighbour of his wealth bereave.'

283.
The gain that comes by fraud, although it seem to grow
With limitless increase, to ruin swift shall go.

284.
The lust inveterate of fraudful gain,
Yields as its fruit undying pain.

285.
' Grace ' is not in their thoughts, nor know they kind affection's power,
Who neighbour's goods desire, and watch for his unguarded hour.

286.
They cannot walk restrained in wisdom's measured bound,
In whom inveterate lust of fraudful gain is found.

287.
Practice of fraud's dark cunning arts they shun,
Who long for power by ' measured wisdom ' won.

288.
As virtue dwells in heart that ' measured wisdom ' gains;
Deceit in hearts of fraudful men established reigns.

289.
Who have no lore save that which fraudful arts supply,
Acts of unmeasured vice committing straightway die.

290.
The fraudful forfeit life and being here below;
Who fraud eschew the bliss of heavenly beings know.