Polity (பொருட்பால்) — Royalty (அரசியல்) — Avoiding mean Associations (சிற்றினஞ்சேராமை)

Kural 451:
சிற்றினம் அஞ்சும் பெருமை சிறுமைதான்
சுற்றமாச் சூழ்ந்து விடும்.
sitrinam anjum perumai siRumaidhaan
sutramaach choozhndhu vidum
English couplet:
The great of soul will mean association fear;
The mean of soul regard mean men as kinsmen dear.
Explanation: (True) greatness fears the society of the base; it is only the low - minded who will regard them as friends.

Kural 452:
நிலத்தியல்பால் நீர்திரிந் தற்றாகும் மாந்தர்க்கு
இனத்தியல்ப தாகும் அறிவு.
nilaththiyalpaal neerdhirinh thatraakum maandharkku
inaththiyalpa thaakum aRivu
English couplet:
The waters' virtues change with soil through which they flow;
As man's companionship so will his wisdom show.
Explanation: 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.

Kural 453:
மனத்தானாம் மாந்தர்க் குணர்ச்சி இனத்தானாம்
இன்னான் எனப்படுஞ் சொல்.
manaththaanaam maandhark kuNarchchi inaththaanaam
innaan enappatunhj sol
English couplet:
Perceptions manifold in men are of the mind alone;
The value of the man by his companionship is known.
Explanation: The power of knowing is from the mind; (but) his character is from that of his associates.

Kural 454:
மனத்து ளதுபோலக் காட்டி ஒருவற்கு
இனத்துள தாகும் அறிவு.
manaththu Ladhupoalak kaatti oruvaRku
inaththuLa thaakum aRivu
English couplet:
Man's wisdom seems the offspring of his mind;
'Tis outcome of companionship we find.
Explanation: Wisdom appears to rest in the mind, but it really exists to a man in his companions.

Kural 455:
மனந்தூய்மை செய்வினை தூய்மை இரண்டும்
இனந்தூய்மை தூவா வரும்.
manandhooimai seyvinai thooimai irandum
inandhooimai thoovaa varum
English couplet:
Both purity of mind, and purity of action clear,
Leaning no staff of pure companionship, to man draw near.
Explanation: Chaste company is the staff on which come, these two things, viz, purity of mind and purity of conduct.

Kural 456:
மனந்தூயார்க் கெச்சம்நன் றாகும் இனந்தூயார்க்கு
இல்லைநன் றாகா வினை.
manandhooyaark kechchamnhan Raagum inandhooyaarkku
illainhan Raagaa vinai
English couplet:
From true pure-minded men a virtuous race proceeds;
To men of pure companionship belong no evil deeds.
Explanation: To the pure-minded there will be a good posterity. By those whose associates are pure, no deeds will be done that are not good.

Kural 457:
மனநலம் மன்னுயிர்க் காக்கம் இனநலம்
எல்லாப் புகழும் தரும்.
mananhalam mannuyirk kaakkam inanhalam
ellaap pukazhum tharum
English couplet:
Goodness of mind to lives of men increaseth gain;
And good companionship doth all of praise obtain.
Explanation: Goodness of mind will give wealth, and good society will bring with it all praise, to men.

Kural 458:
மனநலம் நன்குடைய ராயினும் சான்றோர்க்கு
இனநலம் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.
mananhalam nankutaiya raayinum saandroarkku
inanhalam Emaap pudaiththu
English couplet:
To perfect men, though minds right good belong,
Yet good companionship is confirmation strong.
Explanation: Although they may have great (natural) goodness of mind, yet good society will tend to strengthen it.

Kural 459:
மனநலத்தின் ஆகும் மறுமைமற் றஃதும்
இனநலத்தின் ஏமாப் புடைத்து.
mananhalaththin aakum maRumaimaR Raqdhum
inanhalaththin Emaap pudaiththu
English couplet:
Although to mental goodness joys of other life belong,
Yet good companionship is confirmation strong.
Explanation: Future bliss is (the result) of goodness of mind; and even this acquires strength from the society of the good.

Kural 460:
நல்லினத்தி னூங்குந் துணையில்லை தீயினத்தின்
அல்லற் படுப்பதூஉம் இல்.
nallinaththi noongunh thuNaiyillai theeyinaththin
allaR patuppadhooum il
English couplet:
Than good companionship no surer help we know;
Than bad companionship nought causes direr woe.
Explanation: There is no greater help than the company of the good; there is no greater source of sorrow than the company of the wicked.