Seneca: Virtues do the same thing in the opposite…

Character is contagious. Spend enough time with people who complain, cut corners, and treat every inconvenience as an insult, and their habits start to feel normal. The reverse is also true. Being around someone steady, generous, and honest quietly raises our standard. Their example makes better behavior seem possible. This is why choosing companions is not merely a social preference; it is part of moral training. If you are trying to become less reactive, seek people who do not turn every conversation into a fight. If you want to be more courageous, stay close to people who do the hard thing without theatrics. You do not need perfect friends or a dramatic reinvention. Just pay attention to the climate you live in. Put yourself where the qualities you want are practiced, respected, and expected.