The Intellect becomes superior with the company of superiors and maligns with the company of slanderers. You reap fruits according to the company you keep.

Long ago, there lived a man named Chhaju Bhakta, in Lahore. One day he was with his friends when a fruit vendor shouted, “Achhe san…tare, ache san…tare…( buy good oranges)”. Chhaju Bhakta asked his companions, “Do you hear what the man is saying?” They said: “He is selling santaras (oranges) Bhaktaji !”

Bkaktaji said, "You did not understand. Listen carefully, he is saying, “Achhe sang …tare (Good company leads to salvation)”. He is saying those who associate themselves with good people are redeemed, while those who fall into bad company are doomed.

Bhaktaji told a story to illustrate this: A crow and a swan had become friends. One day the crow invited the swan to his house and made him sit on a dry babool tree. The place stank of dung, flesh and bones that were scattered all over. The swan said, “Brother, I cannot stay in such a dirty place, even for a moment. If you know of a pious place take me there.”

The crow then took him to the secret grove of the King and they sat on a tree next to each other. Beneath that tree the king was resting. As swan looked down, he saw the king sitting under the tree with his head exposed to sun. The swan being kind in nature, spread out his wing out of compassion, to provide shade to the king, who immediately felt relief from the sun.

The crow, however being uncaring in nature, dropped its excreta on the king’s head. The king getting furious, shot an arrow upwards, which brought the swan down, while the crow flew away. The dying swan said,” O King! I am not the crow that dropped the excreta. I am the swan that spread the wing to provide you with shade. But due to the company of the crow, my life is ruined.”

Evil company destroys virtues & so is feared by those who are conscious about it. All scriptures & great souls have taught the jiva on the importance of staying clear of the bad company. Bad company degenerates a person very fast. It is not easy for common man to climb a tree. But having climbed, chance of falling are very high, unless held properly.
Similarly, one has to make great efforts for Self realisation, as Swami Vishwamitra did many tapasyas through saadhna & other steps. But to lose the spirituality gained is very easy, through any bad company. (As the swami lost out when Urvashi was sent by Indra Dev to detract him).

Hence, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE……. Keep only good & pious company for success in ALL areas of life.