The Choice of Companion选择伴侣
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.
一个挚友赛过一笔财产，由于财帛买不到人的某些德性身分，周末看电影，而正是这些身分，使交情成为一种恩惠。最好的伴侣是那些比我们更睿智、更精彩的人，我们会受到他们的伶俐和美德的鼓励，从而使我们的举动越发高贵。
“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.
“与优越者为伍，你也会成为优越者中的一员。”乔治.赫伯特曾说，“从一小我私人所交的伴侣可知其为人。”在社会来往中，周末看电影，品性对品性的塑造赛过其他任何身分。纯洁的风致会作育纯洁的风致，喜爱会激发沟通的喜爱。这一究竟使得在幼年时选择伴侣乃至比选择先生和监护人还要重要。
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.
