«مِنْ عَاشِرِ السَّعِيدْ يِسْعَدْ وِمِنْ عَاشِرِ الْمَتْلُومْ يِتْلَمْ»

The saying holds that people absorb the qualities of those they spend time with. Living or working closely beside someone blessed, fortunate, and of good character, not merely cheerful, draws a share of that blessing onto oneself, until one comes to resemble that person in luck and in conduct.

The reverse also holds: steady association with someone figuratively 'chipped' by bad behavior and tarnished name, not physical injury, damages one's own standing. Others judge the companion by the same measure, and the companion may adopt the same faults, so the warning concerns both reputation and gradual shaping of character.

Suitable when advising someone, especially a young person, about choosing friends or associates, or when explaining why a person's standing rose or fell after joining a particular circle. It works as gentle counsel or as a pointed remark about bad company.