A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

[Earthly] observation was of particular appropriateness during an epoch when the tempo

of events was so speeded up. future

command see he that cannot OBEY cannot command.

COMMON fame is seldom to blame

Cf. 1597 H. LOK Sundry Christian Passions 149 Though prouerbe truely say, by fames
affect, Gods iudgement lightly doth a truth detect.

1639 J. CLARKE Parœmiologia Anglo-Latina 227 Common fame’s seldome to

blame. 1721 J. KELLY Scottish Proverbs 80 Common Fame sindle [seldom] to blame. A

man will seldom be under an universal ill Report, unless he has given some occasion for

it. 1853 R. C. TRENCH Lessons in Proverbs 13 Common fame is seldom to blame. 1936

R. A. J. WALLING Corpse in Crimson Slippers i. But though, as the proverb says,

common fame is seldom to blame, don’t believe everything you hear about me. public

opinion

communication see EVIL communications corrupt good manners.

A man is known by the COMPANY he keeps

Originally used as a moral maxim or exhortation in the context of (preparation for)
marriage.

1541 M. COVERDALE tr. H. Bullinger’s Christian State of Matrimony F6 So maye

much be spyed also, by the company and pastyme that a body vseth. For a man is for the

moost parte condicioned euen lyke vnto them that he kepeth company wythe all. 1591 H.

SMITH Preparative to Marriage 42 If a man can be known by nothing els, then he maye

bee known by his companions. 1672 W. WYCHERLEY Love in Wood I. i. There is a

Proverb, Mrs. Joyner, You may know him by his Company. 1912 ‘SAKI’ Chronicles of

Clovis 286 (heading) A man is known by the company he keeps. 1976 L. ALTHER

Kinflicks ii. People knew a man by the company he kept, but they generally knew a

woman by the man who kept her. 2002 Washington Times 5 Feb. A19 Planned Parenthood

denies that [Margaret] Sanger was a racist or an eugenicist, but there’s truth to the adage

that we are known by the company we keep. associates