A Man who wanted to buy an Ass went to market, and, coming across a likely-looking beast, arranged with the owner that he should be allowed to take him home on trial to see what he was like. When he reached home, he put him into his stable along with the other asses. The newcomer took a look round, and immediately went and chose a place next to the laziest and greediest beast in the stable. When the master saw this he put a halter on him at once, and led him off and handed him over to his owner again. The latter was a good deal surprised to see him back so soon, and said, “Why, do you mean to say you have tested him already?” “I don't want to put him through any more tests,” replied the other, “I could see what sort of beast he is from the companion he chose for himself.”
A man is known by the company he keeps.
有一个人想要买一头驴，便去了市场。他碰到了一头看上去还不错的牲口，于是便和驴的主人达成协议，他可以把驴牵回家试用，看看到底怎样。到家后，他把驴放进自己的畜栏中，和其他驴放在一起。这新来的驴环顾四周，立刻选择了畜栏中最懒惰、最贪婪的牲口旁边的位置。买主看到，便马上给他套上笼头，牵着他还给了主人。主人很好奇他怎么这么快就回来了。“你是说你已经测试过他了？”“我不想让他再做任何测试了，”买主回答说，“我从他给自己选择的朋友就可以看出他是什么样的牲口。”
训诫：一个人有什么样的朋友，就能说明他是什么样的人。