Thirukkural-On Avoiding Vulgarity-Kural-452

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Water takes the character of the soil through which it flows;
So too men"s character changes with their associations.

This translation is based on V V S Iyer"s, who would say that the mind assumes the colour, nature and aspects of the company the person concerned consorts with, just like the water taking on the colour, texture and characteristics of the land, through which it flows. The following is a parallel found in 'Kurunthogai':

“Sembulap paeyal neer poala"

The water flowing through red soil will take on a muddy red hue naturally.

In this context, it is relevant to recollect that even living beings, like the chameleon, take on and project the colour of their outside environment, for ensuring their own protection by merging with the background. The army has learnt its lessons for camouflage of their troops, arms and equipment only for this.

But the issue here is naturally different, relating to one of influence on moral character. Under these circumstances, Sutherland"s theory of Differential Association is more relevant in that, people, who associate with questionable characters and with anti-social elements, tend to absorb and internalize these characteristics rather than the expected and approved norms of organized society.

Crime by imitation (Tarde) and crime by association (Sutherland) are crimes that arise in the manner envisaged by Valluvar in this kural.