One takes on the color of one's company; proximity to good influences makes one good, while bad influences make one bad. It emphasizes the significant impact of one's environment and companions on one's character and behavior.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the Jin Dynasty, Fu Xuan, a prominent literary figure and philosopher, articulated the profound concept of environmental influence in his work 'Taizi Shaofu Zhen' (Admonitions for the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince).
He wrote, "He who gets near vermilion gets red, and he who gets near ink gets black; a harmonious sound produces a clear echo, and a straight body casts a straight shadow."
Through this analogy, Fu Xuan taught that individuals are significantly shaped by their surroundings. Living in a good environment leads to positive influences and development, while being in a bad environment can lead to negative impacts.
This idiom highlights the critical role of one's external environment and companions in shaping character and behavior.