Hinduism

Tukaram, Poem 1808

The bad shows the good by contrast, the alloy shows the pure metal. Unless we place the two together, how can the good possess worth unchallenged? Darkness gives prominence to light, night makes known the day. Pebbles, worth more or less, distinguish for us the diamond. Even so, says Tuka, the good are made known by scoundrels.

Source The Poems of Tukârâma, trad. J. Nelson Fraser et K. B. Marathe, 3 vol., 1909-1915, archive.org · Contents