proverb · Words worth keeping
A man is known by the company he keeps.
A man is known by the company he keeps.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying judges a person through the company they keep. It suggests that chosen associations can influence how someone is perceived.
Example
A reader asks what a person actually did rather than relying only on who they know.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Known makes companions sound like sufficient evidence of character. A responsible reading considers the actual relationship and conduct instead of assigning guilt by association. People may differ from their companions, and contact may not be freely chosen.
When to use it
Use it to examine perceptions of association without treating them as proof.
Keep in mind
Companionship alone does not establish character, agreement or wrongdoing.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown