Siman 605

(162.) I heard in his name o.b.m. that he said: "Even if one is not a proper man — even so it is very good for him that he draws close to the tzaddik." And about this the Tanna warned [Avos 2]: "And do not be wicked before yourself" — that even if he is, G-d forbid, wicked — he should not be wicked before himself. Rather he too should endeavor to draw close to the tzaddik — so that he should at least have some end and hope.