In plain words
Joining the coal of Ajñāna to this shining fire is not all: the light arises only as far as we have joined it. When we count that as the sādhana called practice, take that very thing for a fan and wave practice itself as the fan, the coal turns wholly into fire. So being near the good is not the only thing that matters. To it we must add the principle of Prema that befits it. That is why: near and dear. When we set our life in these two, our life too will be radiant.
Bad Company Is the Cause of Good Feelings Declining
Now, the nature of the bad is like this: the troubles and losses of others give the bad the greatest joy. If others are suffering any troubles at all, these people feel great joy. Seeing people who earn a high name, the wicked invent envious tales and bring blame on them. With a thousand eyes they strive eagerly to see the faults in others. So the company of such people sets about creeping into us too, and through it there is the chance that we too turn into one of those people. But Śaṅkara also taught that it is very good for us to stay far from the company of such people. But if we keep far from such people, surely they may grow fat and set about doing the country still more harm! So some imagine that we may join such people and draw them into ourselves. But we must also consider how far we should keep away from those bad people. Once we have made the faith in good and the faith in Satya within us grow deep, there is a certain fruit in our joining such people and setting about bringing them too onto our path. But when the right strength for Satya, the faith befitting the good and the dedication befitting purity are not in us, joining such people gives our good feelings the chance to decline. Only when we have developed quality and quantity in ourselves is there the chance to take into ourselves what little the others have and, through it, to change that form into this form.