The Choice of Companion選擇朋友

By William Makepeace Thayer

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.

一個好友勝過一筆財富，因為錢財買不到人的某些品德因素，而正是這些因素，使友情成為一種恩惠。最好的朋友是那些比我們更睿智、更出色的人，我們會受到他們的智慧和美德的激勵，從而使我們的行為更加高尚。

“Keep good company and you shall be one of the number.” said George Herbert. “A man is known by the companion he keeps.” Character makes character in the associations of life faster than anything else. Purity begets purity, like begets like; and this fact makes the choice of companion in early life more important even than that of teachers and guardians.

“與優秀者為伍，你也會成為優秀者中的一員?！眴讨?赫伯特曾說，“從一個人所交的朋友可知其為人?！痹谏鐣煌?，品性對品性的塑造勝過其他任何因素。純潔的品格會培養純潔的品格，愛好會引發相同的愛好。這一事實使得在年少時選擇朋友甚至比選擇老師和監護人還要重要。

It is true that we cannot always choose all of our companions, some are thrust upon us by business or the social relations of life, we do not choose them, we do not enjoy them; and yet, we have to associate with them more or less. The experience is not altogether without compensation, if there be principle enough in us to bear the strain. Still, in the main, choice of companions can be made, and must be made. It is not best or necessary for a young person to associate with “Tom, Dick, and Harry” without forethought or purpose. Some fixed rules about the company he or she keeps must be observed. The subject should be uttermost in the thoughts, and canvassed often.