As water acquires colour that it comes in contact with, so is the effect of good and bad company regarded in the world.
Air in contact with sandalwood acquires fragrance, while it becomes foul smelling when in contact with filth.
Clarified butter acquires the taste of the vegetable and other items cooked and fried in it.
The nature of good and bad people is not latent; like the taste of a radish leaf and betel leaf that is recognised on eating. Similarly good and evil persons may look alike outwardly but their good and bad characteristics can be known by keeping their com