The sober do not naturally associate with the drunken, the refined with the coarse, the decent with the dissolute.

To associate with depraved persons argues a low taste and vicious tendencies, and to frequent their society leads to inevitable degradation of character.

"The conversation of such persons," says Seneca, "is very injurious; for even if it does no immediate harm, it leaves its seeds in the mind, and follows us when we have gone from the speakers--a plague sure to spring up in future resurrection." If young men are wisely influenced and directed, and conscientiously exert their own free energies, they will seek the society of those better than themselves, and strive to imitate their example.

In companionship with the good, growing natures will always find their best nourishment; while companionship with the bad will only be fruitful in mischief.

There are persons whom to know is to love, honour, and admire; and others whom to know is to shun and despise,--"DONT LE SAVOIR N'EST QUE BETERIE," as says Rabelais when speaking of the education of Gargantua.