तादृशै: संगतं नीचै्नशंसैरकृतात्मभि:
tādṛśaiḥ saṅgataṃ nīcaiḥ naśaṃsair akṛtātmabhiḥ
अशा नीच, क्रूर, निर्लज्ज व असंयमी लोकांची संगत.
विदुर उवाच
One’s moral life is shaped by one’s companions: association with ignoble, cruel, and undisciplined people erodes discernment and leads away from dharma; therefore, choose company that supports self-control and right conduct.
In the Udyoga Parva, Vidura is delivering ethical counsel (nīti) during the tense pre-war negotiations, warning against the influence of corrupt associates and urging a return to principled judgment.