what does a man is known by the company he keeps

The phrase "a man is known by the company he keeps" is a proverb meaning that a person is recognized or judged based on the people they associate with. It suggests that individuals tend to have similar character, attitudes, and morals as their friends or companions, so the company they choose to keep reflects on their own nature. The proverb originates from a fable by Aesop where a newly introduced donkey is judged by the kind of donkeys it chooses to be with, implying the donkey will have similar traits to those companions. Thus, this saying advises caution in choosing friends, as those associations influence how others perceive you and can reveal your own character.