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vice by the example or conversation of good or bad company。〃
Indeed； it is impossible that association with those about us
should not produce a powerful influence in the formation of
character。 For men are by nature imitators； and all persons are
more or less impressed by the speech； the manners； the gait； the
gestures； and the very habits of thinking of their companions。
〃Is example nothing？〃 said Burke。 〃It is everything。 Example is
the school of mankind； and they will learn at no other。〃 Burke's
grand motto； which he wrote for the tablet of the Marquis of
Rockingham； is worth repeating： it was； 〃Rememberresemble
persevere。〃
Imitation is for the most part so unconscious that its effects are
almost unheeded； but its influence is not the less permanent on
that account。 It is only when an impressive nature is placed in
contact with an impressionable one； that the alteration in the
character becomes recognisable。 Yet even the weakest natures
exercise some influence upon those about them。 The approximation
of feeling； thought； and habit is constant； and the action of
example unceasing。
Emerson has observed that even old couples； or persons who have
been housemates for a course of years； grow gradually like each
other； so that； if they were to live long enough； we should
scarcely be able to know them apart。 But if this be true of the
old； how much more true is it of the young； whose plastic natures
are so much more soft and impressionable； and ready to take the
stamp of the life and conversation of those about them！
〃There has been；〃 observed Sir Charles Bell in one of his letters；
〃a good deal said about education； but they appear to me to put
out of sight EXAMPLE； which is all…in…all。 My best education was
the example set me by my brothers。 There was； in all the members
of the family； a reliance on self； a true independence； and by
imitation I obtained it。〃 （1）
It is in the nature of things that the circumstances which
contribute to form the character； should exercise their principal
influence during the period of growth。 As years advance； example
and imitation become custom； and gradually consolidate into habit；
which is of so much potency that； almost before we know it； we
have in a measure yielded up to it our personal freedom。
It is related of Plato； that on one occasion he reproved a boy for
playing at some foolish game。 〃Thou reprovest me；〃 said the boy；
〃for a very little thing。〃 〃But custom；〃 replied Plato； 〃is not a
little thing。〃 Bad custom； consolidated into habit； is such a
tyrant that men sometimes cling to vices even while they curse
them。 They have become the slaves of habits whose power they
are impotent to resist。 Hence Locke has said that to create
and maintain that vigour of mind which is able to contest the
empire of habit； may be regarded as one of the chief ends
of moral discipline。
Though much of the education of character by example is
spontaneous and unconscious； the young need not necessarily be the
passive followers or imitators of those about them。 Their own
conduct； far more than the conduct of their companions； tends to
fix the purpose and form the principles of their life。 Each
possesses in himself a power of will and of free activity； which；
if courageously exercised； will enable him to make his own
individual selection of friends and associates。 It is only
through weakness of purpose that young people； as well as old；
become the slaves of their inclinations； or give themselves up to
a servile imitation of others。
It is a common saying that men are known by the company they keep。
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
speakersa 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。 Live with
persons of elevated characters； and you will feel lifted and
lighted up in them： 〃Live with wolves；〃 says the Spanish proverb；
〃and you will learn to howl。〃
Intercourse with even commonplace； selfish persons； may prove most
injurious； by inducing a dry； dull reserved； and selfish condition
of mind； more or less inimical to true manliness and breadth of
character。 The mind soon learns to run in small grooves； the
heart grows narrow and contracted； and the moral nature becomes
weak； irresolute； and accommodating； which is fatal to all
generous ambition or real excellence。
On the other hand； association with persons wiser； better； and
more experienced than ourselves； is always more or less inspiring
and invigorating。 They enhance our own knowledge of life。 We
correct our estimates by theirs； and become partners in their
wisdom。 We enlarge our field of observation through their eyes；
profit by their experience； and learn not only from what they have
enjoyed； butwhich is still more instructivefrom what they
have suffered。 If they are stronger than ourselves； we become
participators in their strength。 Hence companionship with the
wise and energetic never fails to have a most valuable influence
on the formation of characterincreasing our resources；
strengthening our resolves； elevating our aims； and enabling us to
exercise greater dexterity and ability in our own affairs； as well
as more effective helpfulness of others。
〃I have often deeply regretted in myself；〃 says Mrs。
Schimmelpenninck； 〃the great loss I have experienced from the
solitude of my early habits。 We need no worse companion than our
unregenerate selves； and； by living alone； a person not only
becomes wholly ignorant of the means of helping his fellow…
creatures； but is without the perception of those wants which most
need help。 Association with others； when not on so large a scale
as to make hours of retirement impossible； may be considered as
furnishing to an individual a rich multiplied experience； and
sympathy so drawn forth； though； unlike charity； it begins abroad；
never fails to bring back rich treasures home。 Association with
others is useful also in strengthening the character； and in