What can we say? We’re total suckers for 3 part quotes! SO much value to unpack:

Associate yourself with men of good quality.

Easy, done! Surround ourselves with good people. We got you Georgey Porgy! (Too informal? nah…)

…IF you esteem your own reputation.

Okay, this is where it gets a little muddy. In saying this Mr. Porgy (now we’re just gonna own it) means to tell us that if we hold ourselves in high regard and are striving to be something and stand for ideals, we gotta make sure the people around us are doing the same. Most of us have probably heard the principle that we are most like the 5 people in our closest, inner circle. Not sure if that’s true for you? Think about whether you’ve ever heard yourself say a line, or use a slang word YOU KNOW you didn’t create, but have heard your bff say it so many times that it just rolls off your tongue?! It’s not brain surgery to figure out that the people we have around us influence our language, thoughts, behaviors, and even patterns! Perspectives and ways of life spread socially, and our company influences us way more than we think.

For ‘tis better to be alone than in bad company.

Not only is the OG GW telling us to surround ourselves with good people – he is also claiming that it’s a full blown DETRIMENT to you if the people around you are bad. Therefore making it better to be alone than to surround yourself with those kinds of people!

So, what do we do if there are people around us influencing us in a negative way? Maybe you’ve noticed yourself complaining about your friends, or getting a nudge of feeling that you’ve outgrown them and no longer agree with them on a values level? If any of these are happening to you – you might want to examine who is in your inner circle!

We don’t get to pick our families, but we DO get to choose who we surround ourselves with (and it’s OK to be a little picky)! It’s also OK to create distance – and it doesn’t mean you have to cut people out or rid them of your lives completely! But sometimes “kicking” them out of your circle can be the best thing you can do – especially if you care what you’re making of your life and who you’re becoming.

As Tony Robbins tells us, if we are unhappy in a relationship we need to change US first – and then (if that doesn’t work) change IT! Of course, this isn’t a pass to place blame on the people around you for who YOU are. It is still your responsibility to be the best person you can be, but part of that means also examining the people around you, and making decisions about whether you need to create some distance with some OR pull others in closer 🙂