- The expression today means people of similar character tend to congregate together. In Aesop’s Fable, the expression means that it doesn’t matter how innocent and well intentioned you are, if you associate with persons of ill repute, you will treated as one.
- This everyday expression comes from one of Aesop's Fables, ‘The Farmer and the Stork’. Aesop lived between c. 620-560 BCE.
Aesop’s Fable: ‘The Farmer and the Stork’
- A simple and trusting Stork was invited by a group of Cranes to visit a field with newly planted seed.
- But the farmer had laid nets to catch the thieving Cranes, and the Stork was caught in the nets with them.
- The Stock pleaded with the Farmer to be released as he was of good character, but the Farmer replied that the Stork must share the same punishment as the thieves, since he was caught with them.
Everyday Expressions that come from Aesop