文／春秋．孔子（553BC～479BC）

與善人居，如入芝蘭之室，久而不聞其香，即與之化矣；

與惡人居，如入鮑魚之肆，久而不聞其臭，亦與之化矣。

──選自《孔子家語》

Irises and Orchids

Confucius (553 BC - 479 BC, Spring and Autumn Period)

English translation: Ven. Miao Guang

To be in the the company of virtuous people is like being in a room full of irises and orchids; eventually we grow unaware of their fragrances, because we have become a part of them.



To be in the company of wicked people is like being in a salted fish shop; eventually we grow unaware of their stench, because we have become a part of them.

── from Kongzi Jiayu Liuben

(Sayings of the Confucian Family)