與善人居，如入芝蘭之室

Xiao Ming's Diary

So, the other day, one of my 13-year-old pals came up with a question.

Xiao Liu: Hey, if someone asks me to try an e-cigarette, does that mean we're friends?

Xiao Ming: Not really.

Xiao Liu: Why not? I mean, he's treating me, and he seems like a nice guy.

Xiao Ming: Do you even realize that smoking's terrible for your health?

Xiao Liu: Yeah, I get that.

Xiao Ming: Then why would you think it's a good thing when someone offers you something harmful?

Xiao Liu: Um...

Xiao Liu: So, is he trying to mess with me? Intentionally, maybe?

Xiao Ming: Could be, or maybe not.

Xiao Ming: Let's assume he's not trying to mess with you. If he can't see that what he's doing is off, do you think he's a smart and discerning person?

Xiao Liu: Not really.

Xiao Ming: So, you wanna be the kind of person who can't tell right from wrong?

Xiao Liu: Nah, not really.

Xiao Ming: Well, there's a saying, 'A man is known by the company he keeps.'

Xiao Liu: What's that mean?

Xiao Ming: It means the people you hang out with can influence your character and values.

Xiao Liu: I remember Confucius said something like, 'When you're with good folks, it's like entering a room full of sweet fragrance, and even if you stay there for a while, you won't lose that sweet smell. When you're with bad folks, it's like walking into a fish market, and no matter how long you stay, that stench won't leave you.'

Xiao Ming: Whoa, you've got some deep cultural knowledge.

Xiao Liu: Been in those classical studies classes since kindergarten.

Xiao Ming: Well, with all that wisdom, you better start applying it!

小明的日記

今天我13歲的夥伴問我一個問題

小劉：「如果有人請我抽電子菸，他算我朋友嗎？」

小明：「不算。」

小劉：「為什麼？他請客，我覺得他對我挺不錯。」

小明：「你知道抽菸對身體不好嗎？」

小劉：「我知道。」

小明：「拿著一個對你身體有害的東西要給你，你為什麼覺得這是對你好？」

小劉：「ㄜ...... 」

小劉：「所以他想要害我？故意地？」

小明：「可能是，也可能不是。」

小明：「假設他沒有要害你的心。他是無法察覺到這樣的行為不妥，你覺得他是一位明辨是非，有智慧的人嗎？」

小劉：「不是。」

小明 ：「你想成為不辨是非的人嗎？」

小劉：「不想。」

小明 ：「伊索寓言裡面有一句話，"A man is known by the company he keeps."」

小劉：「什麼意思？」

小明 ：「這句諺語強調一個人的人品和價值觀，會受到他所交往的人的影響。」

小劉：「我倒是知道孔子的話『與善人居，如入芝蘭之室，久而不聞其香，即與之化矣；與不善人居，如入鮑魚之肆，久而不聞其臭。』」

小明 ：「哇塞！你文化底蘊滿強的說。」

小劉：「從幼稚園就是讀經班的。」

小明 ：「那你學了那麼多，還不會應用！」