ProverbPerseverance
International origin
International originWho keeps company with the wolf will learn to howl
Meaning: Association with morally corrupt people inevitably corrupts your own character and behavior through imitation.
Origin: A proverb that bad companions teach bad habits, found in several European languages, including Spanish. Live among wolves long enough and you start to behave like one.
Equivalents in Spanish, Japanese, German, and Italian
Spanish: Quien con lobos anda, a aullar aprende (literally: He who walks with wolves learns to howl)
Japanese: 朱に交われば赤くなる (Shu ni majiwareba akaku naru) (literally: Mix with vermilion and you turn red)
German: Bei Wölfen und Eulen lernt man das Heulen (literally: Among wolves and owls one learns howling)
Italian: Chi va col lupo impara a ululare (literally: Whoever goes with the wolf learns to howl)
Explore another collection: Idioms
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- Prendere lucciole per lanterne To be completely and badly mistaken.
- Rimanere in mutande To be left penniless.
- Tutto fa brodo Every little bit helps.
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