A version of the phrase first appeared in Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote (1605), where it was noted that your associates reflect your personal values.
This age-old adage suggests that a person’s character is defined and influenced by those they spend time with. The Company You Keep
Today, it is frequently used in professional and self-improvement contexts. The "rule of five" suggests you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, implying that surrounding yourself with ambitious, positive individuals will elevate your own path. A version of the phrase first appeared in