Chapter 109 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 109

Valmiki Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda

Verse 109.5

अनार्यस्त्वार्यसंस्थानः शौचाद्धीनस्तथा शुचिः। लक्षण्यवदलक्षण्यो दुःशीलः शीलवानिव ॥

anāryastvāryasaṃsthānaḥ śaucāddhīnastathā śuciḥ| lakṣaṇyavadalakṣaṇyo duḥśīlaḥ śīlavāniva ||

English Meaning

(But by adopting the code of conduct inculcated by you), a mean character may appear as a noble one, one bereft of purity may appear pure, an inauspicious individual may seem auspicious, and one of vile ways may appear honest.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)