346 FABLES. 



APPLICATION. 



WHEN we become so abandoned to stupidity 

 and a disregard of our reputation, as to keep bad 

 company, however little we may be criminal in 

 reality, we must expect the same censure and 

 punishment as is due to the most notorious of 

 our companions. The world will always form an 

 idea of the character of every man from his asso- 

 ciates : nor is this rule founded on wrong principles ; 

 for, generally speaking, those who are constant 

 companions, are either drawn together by a simi- 

 litude of manners and principles, or form such a 

 similitude by daily commerce and conversation. 

 If, therefore, we are tender of our reputation, we 

 should be particularly delicate in the choice of our 

 company, since some portion of their fame or 

 infamy must unavoidably be reflected upon us. 

 It is not enough to be virtuous ourselves, but we 

 must be cautious not to associate with those who 

 are devoted to vice: for, though we cannot confer 

 any degree of our own credit upon them, we may 

 suffer much discredit, and incur much danger, from 

 mixing with such bad companions. 



