[bradleysmith]

I don't like this, as a rule. The author warns of its shortcomings pretty well:

>Of course, if you care about them, then you owe it to yourself to transmit your positive attitude to them.

I've found that who you surround yourself with is quite often outside of your control. Sooner or later, you're bound to care about someone with negative qualities that you don't want to see in yourself. I do not believe that is justification for cutting them out of your life!

Value brilliance and positivity in people, and avoid participating in negativity is a better rule, for me.

made me think of George Washington's rules of civility[1] (# 56): Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company

[1]-http://www.history.org/almanack/life/manners/rules2.cfm