Avoiding Harmful Associations
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
maṉanala maṉṉuyirk kākka miṉanala / mellāp pukaḻun tarum
Goodness of mind brings flourishing to enduring human life; goodness of company brings every kind of honorable esteem along with it.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“Goodness of mind to lives of men increaseth gain; / And good companionship doth all of praise obtain.”
“Purity of heart is a treasure unto a man: and virtuous company bringeth him every glory.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
மன் உயிர்க்கு மனநலம் ஆக்கம் தரும்= நிலைபெற்ற உயிர்கட்கு மனத்தது நன்மை செல்வத்தைக் கொடுக்கும்; இனநலம் எல்லாப் புகழும் தரும்= இனத்தது நன்மை அதனோடு எல்லாப் புகழையும் கொடுக்கும்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Parimelazhagar reads மன் உயிர் as enduring human life and ஆக்கம் as prosperity or flourishing. Inner goodness supplies that foundation, while good association adds the many forms of esteem that arise when sound conduct is seen and shared.