In plain words
In spiritual matters this very thing is called ‘trikaraṇa śuddhi’. This above all they held to be important. Because what they thought, what they said and what they did were one, the quality of their goods rose. Once the quality rose, Japan gained a good name. As the company is, as the connection is, such is the state they reach in business! In the same way, in West Germany in Europe too, business went on very calmly and well, each doing their own duty. After the Second World War ended, West Germany made friends with the people of East Germany. The people of East Germany were idlers. The people of West Germany worked very hard and were intelligent. They had great zeal in their work. But the people of East Germany had no zeal for work at all. After joining with them, the West Germans too spoiled their name and standing. What is the reason? When good people keep company with good people, the good becomes better still. When good people join bad people, they too can turn bad.
If we make friends with the good and the noble, we too become good and noble
In this good and bad there are quantity and quality. When you mix one cup of water into ten cups of milk, the quality in the milk passes to the water. So, with that cup of water mixed in, all 11 cups fetched the price of milk. If instead you mix one cup of milk into ten cups of water, the quantity and quality of the water are the greater. In this there is quantity, but there is no quality. Because one cup of milk joined ten cups of water, the value of the milk fell and the value of the water rose. If we make friends with the good and the noble, we too become noble and good. These East Germans and West Germans gradually mixed with the Americans. The Americans have much show and many desires, but little dedication to work. They also have great attraction and desires.