Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Some influences stay harmful no matter how much good you pour on them — so it's wise to keep your distance.
You can be kind, and still not stay close to what keeps hurting you.
This one says: some influences stay harmful no matter what, and it's okay to keep your distance.
The verse talks about the saakat, someone who has turned away from the good. The picture is sharp. It is like a tree watered with sweet nectar whose branches and flowers still stay poisonous. And "the more one bows down before him, the more he provokes and stabs."
The wisdom here is about influence, not about hating anyone. Some habits and some company stay harmful however much good you pour on them. Think of a friend who keeps tricking you, however nice you are. You can be kind and still not stay close to what keeps hurting you.
If someone is being unkind to you or hurting you, that is never something you have to accept. Telling a grown-up you trust is always the right thing to do.
How can you be kind to someone and still keep a healthy distance if they keep hurting you?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI