The Adage “Close-to-the-Vermilion, like the Vermilion; Close-to-the-Ink, like the Ink.” In English?
1. The Chinese proverb “Close-to-the-Vermilion, like the Vermilion; Close-to-the-Ink, like the Ink.” is commonly translated into English as “One turns red by proximity to vermilion, and black by proximity to ink.” [Explanation] This metaphorically suggests that being close to vermilion, a pigment, will make one red, and being close to ink will make one black. It implies that association with good people can improve one, while association with bad people can corrupt one.
2. A more precise translation might be “One who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black,” which accurately conveys the essence of the proverb.
3. The adage “Close-to-the-Vermilion, like the Vermilion; Close-to-the-Ink, like the Ink.” can also be rendered as “That which is good makes men good, and he that touches pitch shall be defiled.” This expression, while slightly altered, maintains the core meaning of the proverb.
How Is the Proverb “Close-to-the-Vermilion, like the Vermilion; Close-to-the-Ink, like the Ink.” Translated into English?
1. The proverb “Close-to-the-Vermilion, like the Vermilion; Close-to-the-Ink, like the Ink.” is typically translated into English as “One turns red by proximity to vermilion, and black by proximity to ink.” [Explanation] This proverb implies that one’s character or behavior can be influenced by those with whom one associates, just as a white cloth will take on the color of the dye it is placed next to.
2. Another translation that captures the essence is “One takes on the color of his company,” which suggests that people are influenced by their surroundings and companions.
3. The proverb, as well as the explanation, originates from the Jin Dynasty’s Fu Xuan’s “Jian on the Assistant to the Crown Prince.” The saying highlights the impact of one’s environment and company on personal development, suggesting that one can become better or worse depending on the people one associates with.
What Is the English Translation of the Proverb “Close-to-the-Vermilion, like the Vermilion; Close-to-the-Ink, like the Ink.”?
1. The English translation of the proverb “Close-to-the-Vermilion, like the Vermilion; Close-to-the-Ink, like the Ink.” is generally “One turns red by proximity to vermilion, and black by proximity to ink.” [Explanation] This proverb is a metaphor for the idea that one’s character or behavior can be influenced by the company one keeps.
2. The proverb can also be rendered as “One takes on the color of his company,” which is a good translation that captures the essence of the saying.
3. It is also translated as “Keep good men company and you shall be of the number,” which implies that if one surrounds oneself with good people, one will also become good.
Who Said the Proverb “Close-to-the-Vermilion, like the Vermilion; Close-to-the-Ink, like the Ink.”?
The adage “Close-to-the-Vermilion, like the Vermilion; Close-to-the-Ink, like the Ink.” is attributed to Fu Xuan, a philosopher and writer of the Jin Dynasty. In his work “Jian on the Assistant to the Crown Prince,” Fu Xuan emphasized the importance of the environment and company in shaping an individual’s character, stating, “Therefore, one turns red by proximity to vermilion, and black by proximity to ink; if the sound is harmonious, it is clear, and if the form is upright, the shadow is straight.” This reflects the idea that one’s surroundings can greatly influence one’s behavior and character.
