近朱者赤近墨者黑

近朱者赤，近墨者黑

Literally means:

one who mixes with vermilion will turn red while one who touches the ink will become black

Actually means:

朱, or the vermilion, a red pigment; 赤, red; 墨, the ink used for writing, is black in color.

This phrase literally means that one who mixes with vermilion will turn red while one who touches the ink will become black. It figuratively means that the environment exerts a great influence on human beings -- one becomes kind if he befriends good people while one is liable to err if he mixes with evil people. It is often used to emphasize the positive influence of good environment on people.

朱，即朱砂，红色颜料。赤，红色。墨，写字用的墨汁，黑色。

近朱者赤，近墨者黑，接近朱砂容易变红，接近墨容易变黑。比喻环境对人有很大影响，接近好人容易变好，接近坏人容易变坏。常用来强调良好的环境的促进作用。