To go along with the evil current and defile oneself; to associate with wicked people and do evil things.
他原本是个正直的人，但在那群人的影响下，也渐渐开始同流合污，做出了许多不齿的事情。
He was originally an upright person, but under the influence of that group, he gradually started to go along with them in their evil deeds and did many disgraceful things.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Warring States period, Mencius discussed with his student Wan Zhang how Confucius deeply loathed 'xiangyuan.' Wan Zhang didn't understand who these 'xiangyuan' were.
Mencius explained that 'xiangyuan' were those amiable people in the village who were artful dodgers, skilled at flattery and pleasing others – essentially 'yes-men.' He stated that they 'conform to the common current and join in the defilement of the world,' being rotten at their core and utterly detestable.
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