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He that lies with the dogs, riseth with fleas.
George Herbert
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Associating with negative influences can lead to negative consequences.

This quote emphasizes the importance of the company we keep, suggesting that if we associate with people who have poor character or engage in negative behaviors (the 'dogs'), we may suffer the consequences (the 'fleas'). It serves as a cautionary reminder to be mindful of our associations and their potential impact on our lives.

Themes

InfluenceCompanionshipConsequencesChoicesCharacter

In practice

Example use cases

During a discussion about peer pressure, this quote can illustrate the impact of bad company on one's life choices.

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Bells call others, but themselves enter not into the Church.
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Be not too presumptuously sure in any business; for things of this world depend on such a train of unseen chances that if it were in man's hands to set the tables, still he would not be certain to win the game.
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There is an hour wherein a man might be happy all his life, could he find it.
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For want of a naile the shoe is lost, for want of a shoe the horse is lost, for want of a horse the rider is lost.
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