Those who are close to vermillion are red, and those who are close to ink are black, describing the influence of the environment on people. I think there are two stories in history that fit this proverb. They are Ouyang Xiu, a famous writer in the Northern Song Dynasty, and the story about Mencius’ mother moving three times that we often hear. These two stories illustrate very well the meaning of the words “the one who is close to red is red, and the one who is close to ink is black”.
Historically, when Ouyang Xiu was an officer in Yingzhou, there was a young man named Lu Gongzhu under him. Once Ouyang Xiu's friend Fan Zhongyan came to Lu Gongzhu's home. Fan Zhongyan once said to Lu Gongzhu, Ouyang Xiu is also a very smart person, and you should learn from his excellent character. Under Fan Zhongyan's persuasion, Lu Gongzhu took the initiative to ask Ouyang Xiu to help him improve his writing skills. In this way, his writing skills improved day by day.
The story of Meng’s mother’s three moves can be passed down to this day, and it perfectly fits the proverb “If you are close to red, you will be red, and if you are close to ink, you will be black.” Mencius' family originally lived next to many entertainers, and Mencius liked to put aside his studies to watch the performances of the entertainers. Then Mencius's mother moved her family to a house next to an Orion, and Mencius followed the Orion to learn how to kill pigs. It wasn't until Mencius' mother moved her home next to the college that Mencius calmed down and studied knowledge. From this, we can know that the first two moves are in line with the proverb that those who are near ink are black, and the last move to the college is in line with the proverb that those who are near Zhu are red. In the story, as long as Mencius' mother sees her children studying, it is a good place for her.
In the second story, what Mencius did during the three moves is a good example of how he can help himself improve this advantage in an environment that is favorable to him in certain aspects. Among the stories I know, Mencius's Three Moves best embodies this proverb.