A good companion is better than a fortune, for a fortune cannot purchase those elements of character which make companionship a blessing.
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, we do not choose them, we do not enjoy them；and yet, we have to associate with them more or less.The experience is not altogether without compensation, if there be principle enough in us to bear the strain.
Still, in the main, choice of companions can be made, and must be made.It is not best or necessary for a young person to associate with Tom, Dick, and Harry without forethought or purpose.Some fixed rules about the company he or she keeps must be observed.The subject should be uttermost in the thoughts, and canvassed often.
Companionship is education, good or not；it develops manhood or womanhood, high or low；it lifts soul upward or drags it downward；it ministers to virtue or vice.
There is no half way work about its influence. If it ennobles, it does grandly, if it demoralizes, it does it devilishly.It saves or destroys lustily.
-purchase [ˈpɜːtʃəs]v.购买
典型例句
Tickets must be purchased two weeks in advance.
票必须提前两周买。
-element [ˈelɪmənt]n.要素；元素
典型例句
Honesty, industry and kindness are elements of a good life.
诚实、勤劳和善良是幸福生活的要素。
-associate [əˈsəʊʃieɪt]v.交往
典型例句
You are wooing troubles if you associate with him.
你和他交往会招来麻烦。
最常用法
associate with sb.与某人交往或常打交道
-compensation [ˌkɔmpenˈseɪʃn]n.补偿；赔偿
典型例句
He paid a sum of money as a compensation for the loss in the fire.
他付了一笔钱作为在这次火灾中损失的补偿。
-strain [streɪn]n.负担；压力
典型例句
How do you stand the strain?
你是怎样克服这种压力的？
联想记忆
pressure n.压强；压力
-uttermost [ˈʌtəməʊst]adj.极度的；最远的；最高的
典型例句
Credit is of the uttermost importance and plays a key role in the social credit system.
信誉高于一切，并在社会信用体系中起着关键的作用。
-upward [ˈʌpwəd]adv.向上；上升
典型例句
His glaring eyes are looking straight upward.
他怒视的双眼直向上看。
-downward [ˈdaʊnwəd]adv.向下
典型例句
He lies on the ground face downward.
他脸朝下趴在地上。
一个好友胜过一笔财富。人性中有一些品质会让友谊变成一种幸福的事，而金钱买不到这些品质。
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，也不喜欢他们，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，是不好的，也是没必要的。他必须遵守一些确定的交友原则，应当把它们摆在心中最高的位置，并经常加以审视。
无论是有益的还是有害的友谊，都是一种教导。它可以培育或是高贵，或是卑微的品格；它可以使灵魂升华，也可以使之堕落；它可以滋生美德，也可以催生邪恶。
它的影响没有折中之道：如果它让人高尚，就会用一种无比高贵的方式，如果让人堕落，也会用一种无比邪恶的方式。它可以有力地拯救一个人，也可以轻易地毁掉一个人。