The fish rots from the head down
Meaning: Problems in an organization or society start at the top, with its leaders.
Origin: An old proverb whose first speaker is unknown; it is claimed for many countries, usually without evidence. Erasmus recorded it in Latin in his Adagia as piscis primum a capite foetet — the fish stinks first from the head — and early English printings, from the 17th century, call it a Turkish saying. It blames an organization's decay on its leadership.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
- French: Le poisson pourrit par la tête (literally: The fish rots from the head)
- Spanish: El pez se pudre por la cabeza (literally: The fish rots from the head)
- Japanese: 魚は頭から腐る (Sakana wa atama kara kusaru) (literally: A fish rots from the head)
- German: Der Fisch stinkt vom Kopf (literally: The fish stinks from the head)
More proverbs about Morality
- The axe forgets, but the tree remembers — Those who cause harm often forget quickly, while those who suffer carry the wound far lon…
- A house divided against itself cannot stand — Internal conflict destroys an organization from within; unity is essential for survival.
- Judge not, lest ye be judged — We should refrain from judging others because we ourselves are imperfect.
- If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your own path — Helping others ultimately benefits yourself as well.
- There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience — Peace of mind and restful sleep come only from living and acting honorably.
- The more laws, the less justice — Excessive rules and regulations can undermine rather than promote fairness.
From our untranslatable words
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