The Choice of Companion

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The Choice of Companion
A good companion is better than a fortune, for a fortune cannot purchase those elements of character which make companionship a blessing. The best companion is one who is wiser and better than ourselves, for we are inspired by his wisdom and virtue to nobler deeds. Greater wisdom and goodness than we possess lifts us higher mentally and morally.

“A man is known by the companion he keeps.” It is always true. Companionship of a high order is powerful to develop character. Character is shaped through the associations in life more than by anything else. Purity begets purity, like begets like; and this fact makes the choice of companion in early life even more important than the choice of teachers and guardians.

It is true that we cannot always choose all of our companions—some are imposed on us by business or social obligations; we do not choose them, nor do we enjoy their company. Yet, we still have to associate with them to some extent. This experience is not entirely without benefits, provided we have enough principle to endure the difficulties. Still, in general, the choice of companions can—and should—be made. It is not advisable or necessary for a young person to associate with random people without careful consideration. Certain rules regarding the company one keeps must be observed, and this matter should be given utmost attention and frequent reflection.

Companionship is a form of education, whether positive or negative; it shapes a person’s character, raising it or lowering it; it can elevate the soul or drag it down; it fosters virtue or vice. Its influence is absolute—either it elevates one greatly or it demoralizes them severely. It either saves or destroys completely. Nothing in the world is more certain than this. If virtue is sown, virtue will be the harvest; if vice is sown, vice will be the result. Good companions help us to cultivate virtue, while bad companions help us to engage in vice.

A good friend is worth more than wealth. There are certain qualities in human nature that turn friendship into a source of happiness, and money cannot buy these qualities. Best friends are those who are wiser and better than us; their wisdom and virtues inspire us to do more noble things. They possess more wisdom and nobler virtues than we do, and can elevate us spiritually and morally to a new level. 　　 　　 ““You can understand a person by looking at their friends” – this saying is always true. High-level interactions can strongly shape a person’s temperament. In relationships, the influence of character on character outweighs that of any other factor. A pure character fosters a pure character, and interests give rise to similar interests. These indicate that in youth, choosing friends is even more important than choosing teachers and guardians. 　　 　　It’s undeniable that there are some friends we simply cannot choose. Some are imposed on us by work and social relationships. We didn’t choose them, nor do we like them, but we have to interact with them to some extent. However, as long as we have sufficient principles in mind to withstand pressure, interacting with them is not entirely pointless. In most cases, we can still choose our friends, and in fact, we must do so. It is bad and unnecessary for a young person to casually interact with various people without any foresight or purpose. He must adhere to certain established principles for making friends, keep them at the top of his mind, and review them regularly. 　　 　　Whether beneficial or harmful, friendship is a form of teaching. It can cultivate either noble or humble character ； It can elevate the soul, or it can cause it to descend ； It can foster virtue, and it can also give rise to** ； Its effects have no middle ground: if it makes people noble, it does so in an extremely noble manner; if it causes people to degenerate, it does so in an equally extreme manner. It can powerfully save a person, or easily destroy one. Sow virtue, and you will reap virtue ； Sow **, and you will reap **; this is absolutely certain. Beneficial friendships help us sow virtues, while harmful friendships prompt us to plant the seeds of **.