"Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days"
- Benjamin Franklin
About this Quote
This quote is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, but there is some doubt as to whether he really stated it. However, it has actually ended up being a popular saying that recommends that hosting guests for an extended period of time can become unpleasant.
The quote indicates that after 3 days, guests might have overstayed their welcome and might start to get on the nerves of their hosts or other inhabitants of the house. In essence, the quote recommends that it is much better to have brief visits from guests than long stays. This may be because long check outs can disrupt the usual regimens of a home, create tension or friction, or simply trigger fatigue or feelings of being overwhelmed.
Overall, the quote suggests that hospitality has its limitations, and it is necessary to strike a balance in between being inviting and preserving one's own convenience and peace of mind.
"I weep for the liberty of my country when I see at this early day of its successful experiment that corruption has been imputed to many members of the House of Representatives, and the rights of the people have been bartered for promises of office"