Avoid association of those with poor character – even if they are devotees

Friendship should be cemented between persons with mutual interests and

understanding. Such persons are said to be sva jati, “of the same caste.”

The devotee should avoid a person whose character is not fixed in the

standard understanding; even though he may be a Vaisnava, or a devotee of

Krsna, if his character is not correctly representative, then he should

be avoided.

Srimad Bhagavatam 3.29.17 purport