Deve diken yemezse, eşek de yemez
People follow leaders' examples, especially bad ones
Literal translationIf the camel doesn't eat thorns, the donkey won't either
Usage contextCriticizes bad leadership and followers
Frequencyoccasional
Example
Patron geç gelince herkes geç geliyor. Deve diken yemezse eşek de yemez.Modern usage
Used in organizational/political contexts
Similar English proverb
The fish rots from the head down