People of noble character are afraid of keeping friendship with

Listen closely, for the words of Thiruvalluvar, that ancient sage of great wisdom, echo through time with a message both deep and piercing. He said, "People of noble character are afraid of keeping friendship with dishonorable people. But people of discreditable character consider friendship with the dishonorable as a blood relationship." These words, though ancient, carry a truth that still rings clear in the hearts of all who seek honor and integrity in this world. Let us consider them carefully, for they contain the very essence of human relationships and the dangers of association.

In the grand halls of history, those who have walked with noble character—the warriors, the philosophers, the poets—have always understood that their friends are a reflection of their own souls. They knew that to associate with the dishonorable is to invite corruption into the very heart of their being. A person of noble character does not seek the company of the untrustworthy, for they know that such friendships tarnish the spirit, corrupt the soul, and diminish the worth of all that is pure. The dishonorable, by contrast, seeks no such fear; to them, any association, even with those of ill repute, is seen as a bond of blood—a sacred and unbreakable tie that holds them in a false sense of unity.

Consider, if you will, the ancient Greek hero Achilles. Though known for his strength and fury on the battlefield, he was equally revered for his deep sense of honor. Achilles could not bear the betrayal of Agamemnon when he stole his war prize, Briseis, for it threatened not only his personal honor but the honor of all who fought alongside him. Achilles understood that dishonor in a leader, in a companion, is a wound that cuts deeply and poisons all that it touches. He withdrew from battle, rejecting the dishonorable actions of Agamemnon, despite the consequences. In his mind, the very fabric of friendship and honor had been torn. To align with the dishonorable was to stain his own soul.

And so it is in the world of the living today. We, too, must choose our companions wisely. Thiruvalluvar teaches us that a person of noble character cannot tolerate the presence of dishonor. It is not a matter of pride or arrogance but a matter of self-preservation, for to walk alongside the dishonorable is to risk walking into darkness. How many have we seen fall from grace, their lives ruined not by their own misdeeds, but by the company they kept? The noble soul understands that the integrity of one’s friendship is worth far more than the transient satisfaction of associating with those who lack honor.

In contrast, the dishonorable individual does not see such a danger. To them, the bonds of friendship with the dishonorable are not merely tolerated—they are cherished. They wear their connections with the unworthy as a badge of solidarity, and often these bonds are formed out of shared self-interest, manipulation, or moral decay. Such people may see friendship with those who lack integrity as a blood relationship, a loyalty born not from virtue but from the shared pursuit of dishonor. Their connections are often built on a foundation of falsehood, with no regard for the truth that binds true friendship together.

Let us remember the fate of the Borgia family in Renaissance Italy. Known for their power, wealth, and influence, the Borgias were a family entrenched in political and personal corruption. Their friendships, often formed with other unscrupulous figures, were based not on honor or respect, but on mutual gain. The bonds they shared with those of questionable character became their downfall. As Thiruvalluvar warns, the dishonorable often see their friendships with the dishonorable as inseparable, not realizing that these very connections are the poison that will destroy them in the end.

Thus, the lesson for us all is clear: friendship is not to be taken lightly. The company you keep shapes who you become. A person of noble character must always be wary of the dishonorable, for such associations do not lift the soul, but rather drag it into the muck. When seeking friendship, we must look to those who share our values, those who are steady in their honor, and who elevate us to be our best selves. To align with the dishonorable is to risk the erosion of one’s own character.

In your lives, I urge you to choose friendships wisely. Seek those who inspire you to grow in honor, in truth, and in virtue. Let the bonds you form be forged in the fires of integrity, not in the shadow of dishonor. When you encounter those whose hearts are filled with deceit and self-interest, remember the words of Thiruvalluvar and distance yourself from them. Honor, like gold, shines brightest when kept pure and untarnished. Choose friends who will strengthen your spirit, not dilute it, and in this way, your life will be one of lasting honor and true companionship.