Meaning & Analysis
A servant's character, behavior, and skills tend to resemble those of their master.
Insights
The Influence of Leadership
The qualities of a leader are inevitably adopted by their followers. Whether in politics, business, or family, the ethical and behavioral standards set by the person in charge will be reflected by those under their influence.
Subordinates as a Reflection
One can accurately judge the character of a person in authority by observing the conduct of their subordinates. The team or staff is a direct reflection of the leader's values and competence.
Cascading Values
The proverb illustrates how values and behaviors cascade down from the top of any social structure. The prevailing culture of a group is shaped and defined by its leadership.
Historical Social Hierarchy
This proverb reflects the rigid social hierarchies of the past, where a servant's identity and behavior were seen as direct extensions of the master's household. The character of the leader was believed to permeate the entire establishment, setting the moral and behavioral tone.
Psychology of Influence
Psychologically, the proverb speaks to the powerful human tendency for social mimicry and conformity. Subordinates often adopt the traits of their superiors to gain approval, ensure job security, or simply because the leader's behavior normalizes certain actions, for better or worse.
Organizational Culture
The proverb serves as a timeless principle in modern organizational theory, often expressed as 'culture starts at the top'. It asserts that the ethics, work ethic, and overall demeanor of leadership are inevitably mirrored throughout the entire organization.
A Mirror to Power
The proverb is morally neutral and serves as a mirror to power. It can be used to praise a virtuous leader whose positive traits are reflected in their staff, or to condemn a corrupt one whose flaws are amplified by their subordinates.
Rhetorical Devices
Parallelism
The proverb's 'Like X, like Y' structure creates a memorable and authoritative statement through its perfect balance and symmetry.
Simile
The direct comparison using 'like' or 'such' forms a powerful simile that makes the relationship between the two subjects explicit and easy to understand.
Synecdoche
'Master' and 'man' are used as archetypes representing all leaders and followers, allowing a specific social relationship to stand for a universal principle of social dynamics.
Transcription
Quotations
Suche maystre suche man .. suche faultes suche paynes.
Such as the mayster was so was the seruuant.
A lewde seruaunt with an yll master .. Lyke master lyke man, Lyke will to lyke.
The old prouerbe is true, I perceive; for Such a Master, such a servant.
Such a Master, such servaunts in deede.
Such maister such man, and such mistris such maid.
Such as a maister, such his man will be.
Like master, like seruant.
Such Maister such Man .. Mean[ing]: the Maister is as foolish as his Boy.
To such a Master, such a Servant.
An ill Master, makes an ill servant.
Shakespeare Citations
What foolish master taught you these manners, Sir John?
Caliban Has a new master. Get a new man.
Cross References
- See DÜR., II, no. 640
- Otto, no. 511
- St., no. 868.
- C906 Such cup (pot) such cover (potlid)
- M384 Such man such master
- M731 A sleepy master makes his servant a lout
- M1022 Like mistress like maid
- T525 Trimtram, like master like man.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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