臭くさい物ものに蝿はえがたかる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

flies gather around something smelly; bad people attract each other

Proverb meaning that undesirable people or things naturally gather together, just as flies are drawn to foul smells. Often used to comment on a group of unsavory characters.

• あの連れん中ちゅうが集あつまっているのは、まさに臭くさい物ものに蝿はえがたかるだ。

  Those guys hanging out together is a perfect example of 'flies gather around something smelly'.

• 悪わるい仲なか間まが自し然ぜんと集あつまるのは、臭くさい物ものに蝿はえがたかるというものだ。

  Bad company naturally gathers, just as the proverb says: flies are attracted to foul smells.