Who keeps company with the wolf will learn to howl. 
Meaning and origin
This Latin proverb "Ulula cum lupis, cum quibus esse cupis" translates to "One must howl with the wolves". It means that in order to be accepted or successful in a certain group or community, one must act and behave like the members of that group.
The origin of this proverb is not clear, but it may have been used in ancient Rome to emphasize the importance of adapting to the customs and behaviors of a particular social group in order to gain their acceptance or trust. It can also be interpreted as a reminder to choose your companions wisely and to align yourself with those who share your values and goals.
Proverbs on a similar topic
- Make a pair.
- A man is known by his friends.
- Six of one and half a dozen of the other.
- See which way the wind is blowing.
- Jack is as good as his master.
- Like will to like.
- The house shows the owner.
- All tarred with the same brush.
- So many countries, so many customs.
- Like master, like man.
- A black hen lays a white egg.
- When you are an anvil, hold you Still; when you are a hammer, strike your fill.
- When at Rome do as the Romans do.
- Like question, like answer.
- A little bird is content with a little nest.
- He loves me well that makes my belly swell.
- One mule scrubs another.
Related proverbs
Similar proverbs in the same language
English
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One must howl with the wolves.
Similar proverbs in another language
Latin
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Ulula cum lupis, cum quibus esse cupis.
Howl with the wolves you want to be with.
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Consonus esto lupis, cum quibus esse cupis.
Be in tune with the wolves you want to be with.
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Necesse est cum insanientibus furere, nisi solus relinqueris.
It is necessary to rage with the insane, unless you are left alone.
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Si comes esse lupi vis, voce sibi simileris.
If you want to be a wolf, you have a voice like him.
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Consonans esto lupis, cum quibus esse cupis.
Be in tune with the wolves you want to be with.
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Cum vulpe vulpinare.
With the fox fox.
French
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Il faut hurler avec les loups.
You have to howl with the wolves.
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On apprend à hurler avec les loups.
We're learning to howl with the wolves.
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Soyez fou avec les fous.
Be crazy with crazy people.
German
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Mit den Wölfen muß man heulen.
You have to howl with the wolves.
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Bei Wölfen und Eulen lernt man heulen.
With wolves and owls you learn to howl.
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Wer unter den Wölfen ist, muß mitheulen.
Those who are among the wolves must howl along.
Czech
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Kdo chce s vlky býti, musí s nimi výti.
He that would be with wolves must howl with them.
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Když přijdeš mezi vrány, musíš krákat jako ony.
When you come among the crows, you must walk like them.
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Kdo chce s vlky býti, musí s vlky výti.
He that would be with wolves must howl with wolves.