The Choice of Companion
Guidance for Reciting
Friendship between decent men is as plain as water，yet clean. Intimacy between mean men is as sweet as rum，yet corrupt. Though light，the relationship between former ones is of the kind that lasts long. Though sweet，that between later ones is easier to break.
A good companion is better than a fortune. The choice of companion in early life is more important even than that of teachers and guardians.
It is true that we cannot always choose all of our companions. Some are thrust upon us by business or the social relations of life，whom we do not choose and not enjoy being with them；and yet，we have to associate with them more or less. The experience is not altogether without compensation，if there are enough principles in us to bear the strain. Still，in the main，choice of companions can be made，and must be made. It is inadvisable and unnecessary for a young person to associate with“Tom，****，and Harry”without forethought or purpose. Some fixed principles about the company we keep must be observed，borne in mind and canvassed often.
论择友
诵读导言
君子之交淡如水，小人之交甘若醴；君子淡以亲，小人甘以绝。
一个好友胜过一笔财富。在年少时，选择朋友甚至比选择老师和监护人还要重要。
不可否认，有些朋友总是我们不能选择的。有些是工作和社会关系强加于我们的。我们没有选择他们，也不喜欢和他们在一起，可是我们不得不或多或少地与他们交往。不过，只要我们心中有足够的原则来承担压力，与他们交往也并非毫无益处。在大多数情况下，我们还是可以选择朋友的，而且，必须选择。一个年轻人毫无前瞻性，也无目的性地随意与张三李四交往，是不明智的，也是没必要的。我们必须遵守、牢记一些确定的交友原则，并经常加以审视。
Notes
1.guardian [5ga：djEn] n. 保护人，监护人
2.be thrust upon 被强加于
3.inadvisable [7inEd5vaizEbl] a. 不聪明的，不得体的
4.forethought [5fR：WR：t] n. 深虑，先见
5.canvass [5kAnvEs] v. 彻底检查，审视