the rotten apple injures its neighbour

the rotten apple injures its neighbour
The proverb is also found in a number of variant forms, some of which are illustrated below. Cf. L. pomum compunctum cito corrumpit sibi junctum, a rotten apple quickly infects its neighbour.

1340 Ayenbite of Inwit (EETS) 205 A roted eppel amang the holen [whole ones], maketh rotie the yzounde [sound].

1577 J. NORTHBROOKE Treatise against Dicing 95 A peny naughtily [dishonestly] gotten, sayth Chrysostome, is like a rotten apple layd among sounde apples, which will rot all the rest.

1736 B. FRANKLIN Poor Richard’s Almanack (July) The rotten apple spoils his companion.

1855 H. G. BOHN Hand-Book of Proverbs 514 The rotten apple injures its neighbour.

1979 D. MACKENZIE Raven feathers his Nest 19 The police..have a deserved reputation for uprightness... But one bad apple can spoil the whole barrel.


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  • apple — see an apple a day keeps the doctor away the apple never falls far from the tree the rotten apple injures its neighbour small choice in rotten apples stolen fruit is sweet …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • rotten — see the rotten apple injures its neighbour small choice in rotten apples soon ripe, soon rotten …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Thematic Index — absence absence makes the heart grow fonder he who is absent is always in the wrong the best of friends must part blue are the hills that are far away distance lends enchantment to the view out of sight, out of mind …   Proverbs new dictionary

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