雙語美文：如何選擇朋友

摘要：一個好友勝過一筆財富，因爲錢財買不到人的某些品德因素，而正是這些因素，使友情成爲一種恩惠。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，從而使我們的行爲更加高尚。

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，因爲錢財買不到人的某些品德因素，而正是這些因素，使友情成爲一種恩惠。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，從而使我們的行爲更加高尚。

“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.

“與優秀者爲伍，你也會成爲優秀者中的一員。”喬治.赫伯特曾說，“從一個人所交的朋友可知其爲人。”在社會交往中，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.

事實上，並非所有的朋友都是我們選擇的，有些是生意或社會關係強加於我們的。我們沒有選擇他們，也不喜歡他們，可是我們不得不或多或少地與他們交往。不過，在情勢的壓力之下，只要我們自有主張，這樣的交往也並非全無益處。大多數情況下，我們還是可以而且必須要選擇朋友的。一個年輕人無所考慮、無所目的地隨意與張三李四交往是不好的，也是沒必要的，他/她必須遵循一些交友的定例，擇友時應首先考慮這些定例，並經常加以審視。

Companionship is education, good or not; it develops manhood or womanhood, high or low; it lifts soul upward or drags it downward; it ministers to virtue or vice. Sow virtue, and the harvest will be virtue, Sow vice, and the harvest will be vice. Good companionships help us to sow virtue; evil companionships help us to sow vice.

無論是有益還是有害，友誼就是一種教育。它可以培育高貴或卑微的品格;它可以昇華靈魂，也可以使之沉淪;它可以滋生美德，也可以助長邪惡。播種美德，就會收穫美德;播種邪惡，就會收穫邪惡。有益的友誼幫助我們播種美德，而有害的友誼則使我們播種邪惡。