one takes on the color of one's company
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
one is influenced by the company one keeps; environment shapes character
literaryUsed to emphasize the powerful influence of one's social environment or associates on one's morals and behavior. Origin: Jin Dynasty, Fu Xuan's "Admonitions for the Crown Prince's Tutor". Often used in a cautionary or advisory context.
Fù父
mǔ母
zǒng总
shì是
gào告
jiè诫
hái孩
zi子
yào要
jiāo交
hǎo好
péng朋
you友
，
yīn因
wèi为
jìn近
zhū朱
zhě者
chì赤
，
jìn近
mò墨
zhě者
hēi黑
。
Parents always warn their children to make good friends, because one is influenced by the company one keeps.
Tā他
bān搬
dào到
nà那
gè个
shè社
qū区
hòu后
biàn变
dé得
hěn很
shàng上
jìn进
，
zhēn真
shì是
jìn近
zhū朱
zhě者
chì赤
ā啊
。
He became very motivated after moving to that neighborhood; it truly shows how good company rubs off on you.
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Xué学
xiào校
bì必
xū须
zhòng重
shì视
xué学
sheng生
de的
jiāo交
yǒu友
huán环
jìng境
，
jìn近
zhū朱
zhě者
chì赤
，
jìn近
mò墨
zhě者
hēi黑
de的
dào道
lǐ理
hěn很
zhòng重
yào要
。
Schools must pay attention to the social environment of students; the principle that one is shaped by one's associates is very important.