Avoiding Harmful Associations
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maṉattuḷatu pōlak kāṭṭi yoruvaṟ / kiṉattuḷa tāku maṟivu
“Man's wisdom seems the offspring of his mind; / 'Tis outcome of companionship we find.”
“The disposition of a man seemeth to reside in his mind: but its veritable abode is the company in which he moveth.”
Understanding appears to reside in one's own mind, yet it is truly formed within the company one keeps.
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Parimelazhagar’s commentary
13th century · public domainParimelazhagar’s own words come first, unaltered. The plain reading follows below.
அறிவு= அவ்விசேட உணர்வு; ஒருவற்கு மனத்து உளது போலக்காட்டி= ஒருவற்கு மனத்தின்கண்ணே உளதாவது போலத் தன்னைப் புலப்படுத்தி; இனத்து உளதாகும்= அவன் சேர்ந்த இனத்தின்கண்ணே உளதாம்.
Source: Tamil Wikisource
Though understanding appears to dwell entirely within an individual's personal mind, it is in truth molded and cultivated by the company one keeps.