The real sting here isn't merely about surrounding yourself with virtuous people—it's about recognizing that friendship itself becomes a mirror that either elevates or diminishes you. Confucius understood that we don't simply *choose* to become like our friends; we inevitably do, which means befriending someone beneath you sets a downward current you'll struggle against constantly. Notice he says "not better," not "better at something specific"—he's talking about character and integrity as a whole, which means a friend who succeeds brilliantly in business but shortcuts his principles is still a dangerous choice. In practice, this means being honest when someone wants to deepen a friendship but their judgment about money, loyalty, or honesty troubles you; the discomfort you feel isn't snobbery—it's your better self recognizing the weight you'd carry.