The Ass and His Purchaser
驴和买驴人
by Aesop
出自《伊索寓言》
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.
一天，一个想买驴的人去赶集，遇到了一头看起来很不错的驴，这人就和卖主商定，让他先带回家试用几天，看看这驴中看之外，能否中用。他回到家后，就把这头驴和其他的驴一起关在驴棚里。这头新来的驴四周看了看，立马在驴棚中最懒、最贪吃的那头驴的旁边选了一个位置。
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.
当买主看见这一幕，就立马给这头驴套上了缰绳，并拉着它还给了卖主。
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?"
卖主看到这头驴这么快就被送回来了，就相当吃惊地问道，“怎么？难道说你已经测试过它了？”
"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."
“我不想再多考验它了，”买主答道，“我能根据它为自己选的同伴而判断出它到底中不中用。”
A man is known by the company he keeps.
正所谓：近朱者赤，近墨者黑。
