Bad company charming, but not good

THE EDITOR: It is unfortunate to see young people who are gullible being misled by friends and strangers. They fail to realise the importance of choosing proper friends. Man is a social animal so the love of company is only natural to man. Aristotle once said, “One who loves solitude is a wild beast or a god.” Everyone needs company in both good and bad times. It is particularly the young who feel the need of companions. The choice of proper companions is a great necessity in life. “Tell me your friend and I will tell you what you are,” is a popular saying.  Of everything, our life is influenced by the company in which we spend it.

Children are not judicious enough to choose their friends. It is therefore the duty of parents and teachers to guide children and see that they eschew bad company. Youth is the most impressionable period of life. During youth-hood tendency to imitate is the strongest. The impressions gained last permanently. It is highly recommended and also necessary that both parents and teachers introduce youth into good company and create in them the love of the good. When a child becomes older his power of discretion develops. This is the ideal and proper time for the choice of good companions. A young person must avoid the company of people who are ready to swear, use improper and abusive language, who are dishonest and who indulge in immoral acts. Very often in life evil is more attractive than good; bad company is more charming than good. It is the duty of young people to resist the temptation of evil. Jesus did warn people in His prayer when He uttered, “Lead us not into temptation.” He said this because he knew the frailty of the human race.

AHAMAD  KHAYYAM
Curepe