Avoiding Harmful Associations
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maṉattāṉā māntark kuṇarcci yiṉattāṉā / miṉṉā ṉeṉappaṭuñcol
People's ordinary perception arises through their mind; the description by which they are known arises through their association.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Perceptions manifold in men are of the mind alone; / The value of the man by his companionship is known.”
“The understanding of a man belongeth unto his mind: but his reputation dependeth on the company he keepeth.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
மாந்தர்க்கு உணர்ச்சி மனத்தான் ஆம்= மாந்தர்க்குப் பொதுஉணர்வு தம் மனம் காரணமாக உண்டாம்; இன்னான் எனப்படும் சொல் இனத்தான் ஆம்= இவன் இத்தன்மையன் என்று உலகத்தாரால் சொல்லப்படும் சொல், இனம் காரணமாக உண்டாம்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar distinguishes inner perception from social reputation: perception depends on mind, while the label by which others describe a person often follows visible association. This observation calls for accountable choices and careful scrutiny, not profiling, rumor, collective guilt, or a permanent verdict on worth.