Thirukkural · பொருட்பால் · சிற்றினம் சேராமை

Thirukkural 452

Chapter 46: சிற்றினம் சேராமை (Avoiding mean Associations) · Wealth

Kural 452

நிலத்தியல்பால் நீர்திரிந் தற்றாகும் மாந்தர்க்கு
இனத்தியல்ப தாகும் அறிவு.

Nilaththiyalpaal Neerdhirin Thatraakum Maandharkku
Inaththiyalpa Thaakum Arivu

The waters' virtues change with soil through which they flow; As man's companionship so will his wisdom show

Meaning

As water changes (its nature), from the nature of the soil (in which it flows), so will the character of men resemble that of their associates.

Plain English meaning from the 19th-century prose translation by W. H. Drew and John Lazarus. The verse above is G. U. Pope's translation (1886).

Other kurals in சிற்றினம் சேராமை

How Thirukkural is asked in TNPSC exams

Find your weak TNPSC units before the exam does

Take a free TNPSC assessment on PrepMatic. It shows where you stand across General Tamil, General Studies and Aptitude, then builds a day-by-day study plan and mock tests focused on your weak subjects.

Start free assessment →Free forever plan · No credit card · 2-minute setup