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
speakers--a 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