Searchlights on Health | Page 5

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INFLUENCE OF ASSOCIATES.
If you always live with those who are lame, you will learn to
limp.--FROM THE LATIN.
If men wish to be held in esteem, they must associate with those who
are estimable.--LA BRUYERE.
1. BY WHAT MEN ARE KNOWN.--An author is known by his
writings, a mother by her daughter, a fool by his words, and all men by
their companions.

2. FORMATION OF A GOOD CHARACTER.--Intercourse with
persons of decided virtue and excellence is of great importance in the
formation of a good character. The force of example is powerful; we
are creatures of imitation, and, by a necessary influence, our tempers
and habits are very much formed on the model of those with whom we
familiarly associate. Better be alone than in bad company. Evil
communications corrupt good manners. Ill qualities are catching as
well as diseases; and the mind is at least as much, if not a great deal
more, liable to infection, than the body. Go with mean people, and you
think life is mean.
3. GOOD EXAMPLE.--How natural is it for a child to look up to those
around him for an example of imitation, and how readily does he copy
all that he sees done, good or bad. The importance of a good example
on which the young may exercise this powerful and active element of
their nature, is a matter of the utmost moment.
4. A TRUE MAXIM.--It is a trite, but true maxim, that "a man is
known by the company he keeps." He naturally assimilates by the force
of imitation, to the habits and manners of those by whom he is
surrounded. We know persons who walk much with the lame, who
have learned to walk with a hitch or limp like their lame friends. Vice
stalks in the streets unabashed, and children copy it.
5. LIVE WITH THE CULPABLE.--Live with the culpable, and you
will be very likely to die with the criminal. Bad company is like a nail
driven into a post, which after the first or second blow, may be drawn
out with little difficulty; but being once driven in up to the head, the
pinchers cannot take hold to draw it out, which can only be done by the
destruction of the wood. You may be ever so pure, you cannot associate
with bad companions without falling into bad odor.
6. SOCIETY OF THE VULGAR.--Do you love the society of the
vulgar? Then you are already debased in your sentiments. Do you seek
to be with the profane? In your heart you are like them. Are jesters and
buffoons your choice friends? He who loves to laugh at folly is himself
a fool. Do you love and seek the society of the wise and good? Is this
your habit? Had you rather take the lowest seat among these than the

highest seat among others? Then you have already learned to be good.
You may not make very much progress, but even a good beginning is
not to be despised.
7. SINKS OF POLLUTION.--Strive for mental excellence, and strict
integrity, and you never will be found in the sinks of pollution, and on
the benches of retailers and gamblers. Once habituate yourself to a
virtuous course, once secure a love of good society, and no punishment
would be greater than by accident to be obliged for half a day to
associate with the low and vulgar. Try to frequent the company of your
betters.
8. PROCURE NO FRIEND IN HASTE.--Nor, if once secured, in haste
abandon them. Be slow in choosing an associate, and slower to change
him; slight no man for poverty, nor esteem any one for his wealth.
Good friends should not be easily forgotten, nor used as suits of apparel,
which, when we have worn them threadbare, we cast them off, and call
for new. When once you profess yourself a friend, endeaver to be
always such. He can never have any true friends that will be often
changing them.
9. HAVE THE COURAGE TO CUT THE MOST AGREEABLE
ACQUAINTANCE.--Do this when you are convinced that he lacks
principle; a friend should bear with a friend's infirmities, but not with
his vices. He that does a base thing in zeal for his friend, burns the
golden thread that ties their hearts together.
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SELF-CONTROL.
"Honor and profit do not always lie in the same sack."--GEORGE
HERBERT.
"The government of one's self is the only true freedom for the
individual."--FREDERICK PERTHES.
"It is length of patience, and endurance, and forbearance that so much

of what is called good in mankind and womankind is
shown."--ARTHUR HELPS.
1. ESSENCE OF CHARACTER.--Self-control is only courage under
another form. It may also be regarded as the primary essence of
character. It