427 - A fascinating proverb
In Latin cultures, there is a saying that can be translated into: "tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are". The meaning of this proverb is that you can be defined by the people you spend time with. This is not an innovative idea, but it is intriguing to think about it. Actually, the saying is much more complex, because with "you walk" it opens up to numerous interpretations. I like to read that part of the sentence as the people we would follow everywhere, regardless of destination. In this interpretation, the proverb states that we can be defined only by those people we truly admire and spend time with. There is an underlying problem, though. Are we able to identify these people?
What do you think about it? Have you ever heard this proverb?
Search from various English teachers...
Corrections · 9
1
Tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are.
The grammar is absolutely correct but to me is too formal for this context. More natural:
Tell me who you walk with, and I will tell you who you are.
1
427 - A fascinating proverb
In Latin, Romance-speaking cultures, there is a saying that can be translated as "tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are". The meaning of this proverb is that you can be defined by the people you spend time with. While not an innovative idea, it is intriguing to think about. Actually, the saying is much more complex, because the "you walk" part opens ways to numerous interpretations. I like to read that part of the sentence as the people we would follow everywhere, regardless of destination. In this interpretation, the proverb states that we can be defined only by those people we truly admire and spend time with. There is an underlying problem though. Are we able to identify those people?
What do you think about it? Have you ever heard this proverb?
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It's beautifully written, so please treat my corrections as suggestions of syntax improvement rather that real mistake troubleshooting.
While I agree with the proverb, I think its meaning is even more figurative: personally, I'd include favourite authors/artists/thinkers among the people "with whom you walk".
0
I've heard about this proverb before and we do use it in our daily life, not strange to me 😅
And I find the meaning right because man is affected by the medium in which he lives and influenced by its people
However, I believe in the idea of appearances are deceptive
0
Very sweet.
We have
"By their friends shall ye know them"
"A man is known by the company he keeps”
"You will know what kind of man he is not by the things he says, but by the things he does. "
and I particularly liked
"Eagles don't fly with pigeons"
0
I have no corrections, but I have a question: Your mastery of the English language is far superior than most native English speakers, so why does your language skill set not reflect this fact? Bravo!
Regarding the proverb, I have heard it before, as well as other similar idioms, such as "you are the company you keep." A motivational speaker by the name of Jim Rohn has been credited with saying, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Proverbs 13:20 says, "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm."
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