8月1日

芝蘭之室
春秋 孔子 ( 553~479 B.C.E. )

與善人居，如入芝蘭之室，
久而不聞其香，即與之化矣；
與惡人居，如入鮑魚之肆，
久而不聞其臭，亦與之化矣。

──選自《孔子家語》

August 1

Irises and Orchids
Confucius (553 BCE - 479 BCE, Spring and Autumn Period)
English translation: Miao Guang

To be in the the company of virtuous people is like being
in a room full of irises and orchids; eventually we grow
unaware of their fragrances, because we have become a
part of them.

To be in the company of wicked people is like being in
a salted fish shop; eventually we grow unaware of their
stench, because we have become a part of them.

── from Kongzi Jiayu (Sayings of the Confucian Family)