Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: People with similar interests or characteristics tend to associate with each other.
Origin: The first known English appearance is in William Turner's pamphlet The Rescuing of the Romish Fox (1545), which says that birds of one kind and color flock and fly together. The thought goes back further, to Ecclesiasticus 27:9: "The birds will resort unto their like." "Of a feather" means of the same plumage, and so of the same kind.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
- French: Qui se ressemble s'assemble (literally: Those who resemble each other gather together)
- Spanish: Dios los cría y ellos se juntan (literally: God raises them and they come together)
- Japanese: 類は友を呼ぶ (Rui wa tomo wo yobu) (literally: Like calls to like)
- German: Gleich und gleich gesellt sich gern (literally: Like and like gladly keep company)
More proverbs about Human Nature
- You can't judge a book by its cover — Appearances can be deceiving.
- Too many cooks spoil the broth — Too many people involved can ruin a project.
- Curiosity killed the cat — Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble.
- The apple doesn't fall far from the tree — Children often resemble their parents.
- Laughter is the best medicine — Humor and joy can help overcome difficulties.
- A watched pot never boils — Time seems to pass slowly when you are waiting.
From our compliments & insults
- Avoir un poil dans la main — To be incurably lazy.
- Tête de linotte — A scatterbrain who can't hold a thought.
- Courir sur le haricot — To get badly on someone's nerves.