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Chinese Proverbs

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 6, 1873

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 41, No. 21.

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Chinese Proverbs.

CONFUCIUS said: To dwell with a good man is like entering a house wherein are the fragrant “lan” flowers; after awhile you may not seem to smell the fragrance, because you yourself have changed—(your whole person has become impregnated with the fragrance.)
To dwell with a bad man is like entering a market of abalones (a large shell-fish); after awhile you do not notice the stench, because you yourself have changed—(your garments are saturated with it.)
The vessel in which cinnabar is stored will have the carnation color: the vessel which contains black varnish will become black.
Therefore, all ye gentlemen! take great care with whom ye associate.
Association with good men is like the lanwai flower. Let one man cultivate it, and all people will enjoy its fragrance.
Association with bad men is like carrying a child to the top of a wall: if the man misses his step, both will meet with disaster.
In the family sayings of Confucius it is said: To dwell with a good man is like walking in a gentle mist: although your garments do not become suddenly wet, yet are they all the time imbibing the moisture.
Among mankind we use riches to try friendship—(real friendship is tested by wealth and poverty). Fire is used for trying gold. With water we take a stick to sound it as to deepness or shallowness.—Overland Monthly.