上梁不正下梁歪 meaning in English
if the upper beam is not straight, the lower ones will go aslant.; a crooked stick will have a crooked shadow.; fish begins to stink at the head.; if a leader sets a bad example, it will be followed by his subordinates.; when those above behave unworthily, those below will do the same
Examples
- Fish begins to stink at the head
鱼腐头先臭(上梁不正下梁歪) 。