Hinduism

Tukaram, Poem 3365

Like a diamond shattered by the touch of a bug’s blood, such is a holy man ruined by evil company.
Even a good cow is ruined by the company of an unruly one; a moment is enough to change her.
Base metal will render gold impure, so that its value disappears by lakhs and crores.
Sweet dishes turn bitter if you poison them; such is the effect of bad company on men.
Tuka says, with full assurance, Good company is the best; bad company will keep you in the cycle of the eighty-four.

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