The companions of a man indicate his character. As a social being a man needs people with whom he can mix and converse freely, exchanging thoughts and ideas, hopes and fears. But a person whose tastes and inclinations are different from ours cannot give us the delight which we expect from friends. So a man naturally seeks the society of those who are like himself in their taste and inclination. We can, therefore, very easily say of what sort a man is from the nature and character of his friends. Moreover, friends exert a great influence upon our character. If we mix with the bad, we shall get their bad habits and gradually become bad ourselves. If, on the other hand, we mix with the good and the noble, it will ennoble us too. Our character can thus be judged from that of our companions. Therefore, we should be good and noble in life, we should carefully avoid evil company. When we may be taking to evil ways, a true companion will try his best to correct us. Thus it is well said that a man is known by the company he keeps.
