諸經要集 9.91

9.91

If a person associates with the unvirtuous, / he becomes an unvirtuous person.
Therefore one should keep away from evil / and not perform unvirtuous karma.
Whomever one approaches / and frequently becomes intimate with,
because of closeness one shares their deeds, / whether good or unvirtuous.
All people who seek goodness / should associate with virtuous people.
In this way they can obtain happiness; / goodness is not a cause of suffering.
Associating with the good increases merit; / associating with evil increases it all the more.
Merit and the signs of evil / are now briefly explained in this way.
If one associates with virtuous people, / one will obtain good renown;
if one associates with unvirtuous people, / it causes one to be quickly despised.
One should always be close to virtuous people / and keep far away from bad companions.
Because of being close to virtuous people, / one can abandon all evil karma.