墨に染まれば黒くなる すみにそまればくろくなる Meanings Expression, Godan verb people are formed by their surroundings; walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble (literally: that which is dyed with ink becomes black) Kanji 墨 ink. Read as すみ. 染 stain. Read as そまる. 黒 black. Read as くろ. Word lists Proverbs Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists