Uswah

You become like the people you spend time with.

مَثَلُ الجَليسِ الصَّالِحِ والسَّوءِ كَحامِلِ المِسكِ ونافِخِ الكيرِ؛ فحامِلُ المِسكِ إمَّا أن يُحذيَك، وإمَّا أن تَبتاعَ منه، وإمَّا أن تَجِدَ منه ريحًا طَيِّبةً، ونافِخُ الكيرِ إمَّا أن يُحرِقَ ثيابَك، وإمَّا أن تَجِدَ ريحًا خَبيثةً

The example of a good companion and a bad one is that of a musk-seller and a bellows-blower: the musk-seller may give you some, or you may buy from him, or at least you find a pleasant scent from him; the bellows-blower either burns your clothes or you find a foul smell from him.Translated by Uswah draft, awaiting review

Sahih al-Bukhari 5534

Narrator : Abu Musa al-Ash'ariGraded by : al-BukhariSource :

Text and grading: the Hadith Encyclopedia, Dorar.net

The parallel

The perfume-seller and the blacksmith: you leave one carrying the scent and the other carrying the smoke, whether or not you bought anything.

How close it isVery close, and older. The image adds something the saying lacks: the effect lands on you without your consent.

Read the situationA friend let me down when it mattered

More sayings

  1. Easy come, easy go.Quran
  2. Don't give me a fish. Teach me how to fish.Sahih
  3. Actions speak louder than words.Sahih