Knowing one's character

[Jahnava Nitai Das]

As water changes according to the soil through which it flows, so a man assimilates the character of his associates.

 

By knowing his thoughts, a man's mind is discovered. By knowing his associates, his character is revealed.

 

-Tirukkural 46:452-453

[tsaneladi]

This is one of my favorite passages. I can never hear these words enough

[krsna]

1.1.4. Assertion of the Strength of Virtue

 

31.

It yields distinction, yields prosperity; what gain

Greater than virtue can a living man obtain?

Virtue will confer heaven and wealth; what greater source of happiness can man possess ?

 

32.

No greater gain than virtue aught can cause;

No greater loss than life oblivious of her laws.

There can be no greater source of good than (the practice of) virtue; there can be no greater source of evil than the forgetfulness of it.

 

33.

To finish virtue's work with ceaseless effort strive,

What way thou may'st, where'er thou see'st the work may thrive.

As much as possible, in every way, incessantly practise virtue.

 

34.

Spotless be thou in mind! This only merits virtue's name;

All else, mere pomp of idle sound, no real worth can claim.

Let him who does virtuous deeds be of spotless mind; to that extent is virtue; all else is vain show.

 

35.

'Tis virtue when, his footsteps sliding not through envy, wrath,

Lust, evil speech-these four, man onwards moves in ordered path.

That conduct is virtue which is free from these four things, viz, malice, desire, anger and bitter speech.

 

36.

Do deeds of virtue now. Say not, 'To-morrow we'll be wise';

Thus, when thou diest, shalt thou find a help that never dies.

Defer not virtue to another day; receive her now; and at the dying hour she will be your undying friend.

 

37.

Needs not in words to dwell on virtue's fruits: compare

The man in litter borne with them that toiling bear!

The fruit of virtue need not be described in books; it may be inferred from seeing the bearer of a palanquin and the rider therein.

 

38.

If no day passing idly, good to do each day you toil,

A stone it will be to block the way of future days of moil.

If one allows no day to pass without some good being done, his conduct will be a stone to block up the passage to other births.

 

39.

What from virtue floweth, yieldeth dear delight;

All else extern, is void of glory's light.

Only that pleasure which flows from domestic virtue is pleasure; all else is not pleasure, and it is without praise.

 

40.

'Virtue' sums the things that should be done;

'Vice' sums the things that man should shun.

That is virtue which each ought to do, and that is vice which each should shun.