A PROPER CONSTRUCTION OF THE ADAGE: BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER BY AYAMA PIUS KUROTIMI

Underneath the lines of striven mysteries, man’s life has been always unpredictable. Despite the unpredictable nature of man; the desire of a pressing want of friendship never cease to exist. Thereby, it is apropos and kosher to interlude that; man will always be a victim of friendship, notwithstanding the negative past. An old saying goes: “Friendship is inevitable”. In light of the foregoing, it is appropriate to intercept that friendship is ubiquitous as politics – As far as man continue to exist; friendship cannot be perverted. Man must always need someone to call a ‘friend’ no matter the unlucky previous encounters. Hence, man is a victim of friendship by circumstance.

Association as they say plays a very vital role in man’s life. Same way the environment influences man’s behaviour; association also plays same impact. Thus, the kind of friends one keep,  which encompasses one’s associations, greatly influences one either positively or negatively. Practically, no matter the extent of one’s intellectuality; one cannot bypass been influenced negatively if one is unequally yoked with drunkards or fools. Of course, it is a truism that: lawyers are beclouded with the jurisprudential exposition of law, making them see morality as an ordinary concept because of its lack of legal backing. This reasoning of lawyers is as a result of the legal association they have been exposed to.

It must be pointed out that, the adage: “Birds of a feather flock together” does not denote the ordinary sameness in the feathers of two birds; but the adage rather construes the behavioral conducts of birds. The bird here metaphorically represents man. One may now ask the anticipated question: Do birds of a feather flock together? Empirically, the answer is debatable as it is devoid of precision of stand. Realistically, the mere fact that two friends have good similar conducts, gauging by societal standards does not make them same persons in whole. Moreover, it is very much possible for two friends to have same religious inclinations; but the reverse could be the case in political matters. How true then is the adage: Birds of a feather flock together?

Findings have posited that man is a subjective being by nature. How then can a subjective being possess same exact attributes? An emphatic impossibility. The truth must be told – man is a controversial being. Hence, the adage needs proper and better construction, which this work tends to correct and point out. From time immemorial, this equivocal adage has succeeded in causing a lot of controversial perceptions and holdings in man’s society as regards his dealings with neighbors – thereby subjecting man to a state of quagmire.

Thus, it is very much convenient to posit that: birds of a feather do not flock together; rather birds of similitude feathers flock together propagated on the bedrock of balancing equilibrium. The word “similitude” must be taken into cognizance; as it settles the debacle long posited by the adage. Two beings may share like attributes but can never be absolutely exact in all directions or sides notwithstanding the similitude. In essence, as earlier stated, it all boils down to striving for compatibility or balancing. This is backed up by the saying that goes: “No matter how perfect a marriage may be; there still exist differences between the spouse”.

Therefore, it is firmly contended that birds of a feather do not flock together as it is generally upheld and believed; but the flocking of such birds is built on the bedrock and foundation of balancing. It is humbly submitted that getting associated with birds of like or similitude feathers leads one to his or her destination. Succinctly, especially in politics: views, ideas, concepts and opinions are different even amongst real-time politicians; let alone a politician and a non-politician. The writer hereby submits and posit that the adage: “Birds of a feather flock together” be given its appropriate interpretation – possibly from the writer’s view of exposition captioned: “Birds of similitude feather flock together on the preponderance of balancing.