Avoiding Harmful Associations
Tap an underlined Tamil word to explore its sound, meaning, and use.
maṉanala naṉkuṭaiya rāyiṉuñ cāṉṟōrk / kiṉanala mēmāp puṭaittu
Even when the accomplished possess goodness of mind fully, goodness in their associations provides added security.
▸Other translations · Pope (1886) & Aiyar (1916)
“To perfect men, though minds right good belong, / Yet good companionship is confirmation strong.”
“Though themselves are endowed with every virtue, the wise looks upon the company of the pure as a tower of strength.”
Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
மன நலம் நன்கு உடையராயினும்= மனநன்மையை முன்னை நல்வினையால் தாமே உடையராயினும்; சான்றோர்க்கு இன நலம் ஏமாப்பு உடைத்து= அமைந்தார்க்கு இனநன்மை அதற்கு வலிமையாதலை உடைத்து.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
The verse refuses the fantasy of solitary invulnerability: even a sound-minded accomplished person benefits from reinforcing company. Security here is support, challenge, and resilience—not surveillance, obedience to a clique, isolation from outsiders, or proof that harmed people chose badly.