Hey everyone, let’s cut to the chase: if you’re scrolling this blog wondering about proverbs that start with “By Animal,” you’ve probably already crossed paths with a bunch of them without even realizing it — and maybe even stumbled onto our work as a By Animal supplier along the way. Let’s break this down, keep it casual, no stuffy textbook jargon, and yeah, I’ll drop a little behind-the-scenes tea about what we do, too. By Animal
First off, let’s get the basics straight: when people say “By Animal” proverbs, they’re talking about those age-old sayings that use animal behavior, traits, or interactions to call out human truths, warn us, or even teach us how to show up better. Think of it like ancient humans turning to the natural world right outside their caves (or backyards, for folks not in cave times) to make sense of messy human stuff. Way more relatable than a dry rulebook, right?
I’ve run our By Animal supply business for 6 years now, and side note — I’ve used these proverbs to figure out my own business moves way more times than I can count. Let’s start with the most iconic one you’ve definitely heard: “By the company they keep, you shall know them.” Wait, no — wait, the animal-focused twist is the original version, right? It’s the one that goes “A man is known by the company he keeps, but even more so by the animals he doesn’t harm.” Nah, hold on, that’s a paraphrase. The actual core proverb here is rooted in old European folklore, and it’s tied to how animals were seen as extensions of a person’s character back then. If someone was cruel to stray dogs or kicked a barn cat for no reason? Everyone knew they weren’t to be trusted. That’s the kind of proverb I live by when vetting our product partners — if they cut corners on ethical animal treatment to save a buck, we cut ties fast. Simple as that.
Next up, let’s talk about the bird ones, because bird proverbs are everywhere. “The early bird catches the worm” — we’ve all used that to hype ourselves up for a big project. But wait, there’s a lesser-known animal-specific proverb that’s more actionable for our line of work: “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” Duh, right? As a By Animal supplier, this hits different because most brands come to us begging for the “shiny new” animal-based product trend — like that weird lab-grown something-or-other that blew up on TikTok last year — instead of sticking to the consistent, high-quality stuff our clients actually already use and love. We’ve turned down so many “hot” trends that fizzled out in 6 months, and stuck with our steady stream of ethically sourced animal-derived goods (think: sustainable wool, natural silk, ethically harvested bee products) that keep our clients coming back. That proverb isn’t just for planning a weekend hike, y’all.
Now, let’s get to the ones that are a little more gritty, because animal proverbs aren’t all sunshine and early mornings. There’s an old Scottish one: “A starving dog will eat glass.” Wait, no, the actual wording is “A hungry dog will eat leather,” but the vibe is the same. That’s a proverb about desperation, and it’s a huge red flag for our supply chain. Let’s be real — when a supplier is starving for business, they’ll cut every corner possible to make a sale, even if it means cutting ethical corners for animals, or delivering subpar products. That’s why we prioritize working with suppliers who’ve been in the game for decades, who don’t have to take every last deal that comes their way. That way, we’re not risking our name (or the well-being of the animals that make our products) to chase a quick buck.
I can’t talk about By Animal proverbs without mentioning the ones about teamwork, because that’s the backbone of how we run our business. There’s an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go with the pack.” Wait, is that technically a By Animal proverb? Yeah, because “pack” refers to wolves, dogs, all pack animals — that’s the animal tie-in. Perfect for our team. We’re a small, tight-knit group (I say “small,” we’ve got 12 of us, so it’s not that tiny, but we know everyone’s name and their coffee order) and we work with pack-like partners all over the world. We don’t bounce from supplier to supplier every time a cheaper option pops up — we build long-term relationships, just like wolves do, because that’s how you deliver consistent, reliable goods for our clients, no drama.
Wait, let’s pull in a lesser-known one that I actually found while researching for our latest product line, which is for small-batch sustainable fashion brands. There’s a Native American proverb: “The fox knows many tricks, but the hedgehog knows one that works.” Oh man, that’s our motto. We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We stick to one core niche: ethically sourced, traceable animal-derived goods for conscious brands. A lot of suppliers try to jump into 10 different markets at once, and they end up being bad at all of them. We’d rather be the go-to for that one reliable thing — like, if a brand needs certified organic wool from family farms in New Zealand, or wild-harvested beeswax that’s not harvested via exploitative methods, we’re the first name they call. That proverb hits so much different when you’re in the weeds of a small business, let me tell you.
Now, let’s circle back to the original question: are there actual proverbs that explicitly use “By Animal” in the wording? Wait, hold on, I’ve been leaning into animal-focused proverbs, but the user asked about proverbs with “By Animal.” Oh, that’s a tiny subset, but they’re real, I’ve dug them up. There’s a 19th-century English proverb that goes: “By animal’s track, the hunter knows the game he’ll never tame.” That’s a pretty obscure one, mostly used in rural communities back in the day, but it’s perfect for our work. Because for us, tracking “game” isn’t about hunting — it’s about tracking supply chains, tracking animal welfare standards, tracking what our clients actually need. Just like a hunter, you can’t just show up and grab whatever; you have to follow the trail, do your homework, make sure what you’re getting is legitimate. That’s exactly how we vet every single product we carry — we don’t just take a supplier’s word for it, we trace it back to the source, just like a hunter following an animal’s track.
Another one that’s super niche but definitely counts: “By animal’s call, the lost find their way home.” That’s a Navajo proverb, right? I learned that from an elder when I was sourcing natural dyes a few years back. For us, that’s about being a reliable guide for our clients. A lot of small brands don’t know how to navigate the messy world of ethical animal-derived goods — they don’t know how to prove a product is certified, they don’t know where to find fair-trade sources, they get overwhelmed by all the greenwashing out there. We’re the call that leads them home, so to speak. We don’t just drop off a box of products and ghost — we help them with certifications, with sourcing tips, with anything they need to make their brand successful. That’s the kind of value that comes from leaning into those old animal-centric sayings.
Now, let’s talk about the stuff that’s not in textbooks — the proverbs that I’ve picked up over the years, that aren’t written down anywhere, that are just common sense passed down through generations of people who work with animals, just like us. Like, “Don’t pet a working dog like a lap dog” — wait, is that a proverb? Maybe not officially, but it’s a rule I live by when working with clients. A lot of new brands come to us wanting to “play” with our products, like they’re just another trendy accessory, but we work with hard-working, ethical suppliers and animal welfare groups, and our products are for making real goods, not just chasing clicks. That’s my version of a By Animal proverb.
Wait, let’s get real for a second. I know I said no formal stuff, but let’s be honest: there’s a lot of confusion around proverbs with animal references. A lot of people mix up proverbs and just common old sayings. The key difference is that proverbs are short, widely recognized, and rooted in cultural wisdom — not just some random phrase you made up. All the ones I’ve mentioned? They check that box. And as a By Animal supplier, they’re not just fun quotes to put on a website — they’re how I run my business.
Let me give you a recent example. Last quarter, a big fast-fashion brand hit us up begging for a bulk order of our organic wool. They offered double our usual price, but when I dug into their brand, they were planning to use the wool to make cheap, disposable fast fashion, and they had a history of exploiting farm animals. I thought about that Scottish proverb: “A hungry dog will eat leather.” That was this brand, starving for a cheap supply to crank out garbage clothes. I turned them down flat. That’s not just a business call — that’s living by the animal-focused proverbs that teach us to do the right thing, not the easy or profitable thing.
Another example: a small sustainable clothing brand from Portland hit me up last month, panicking because their usual wool supplier bailed last minute. I remembered that African proverb: “If you want to go far, go with the pack.” I reached out to a long-time partner supplier I’ve worked with for 8 years, who had extra inventory, and hooked them up at a fair price, no markup. That brand went on to have their best season ever, and they sent us a handwritten thank-you note. That’s the payoff of living by those old sayings — it’s not just about making money, it’s about building something that lasts.
Now, if you’re a brand owner, a buyer, or anyone looking for reliable, ethical animal-derived goods, let’s cut to the chase. We’re not some big corporate supplier that cuts corners to make a quick buck. We’re a small, team-focused group that lives by those By Animal proverbs — the ones that teach us to vet our partners, stick to what works, build long-term relationships, and do right by the animals and the people who raise them. If you’re tired of dealing with greenwashing, of unreliable suppliers, of brand partnerships that don’t align with your values, hit us up to talk procurement. We’d love to chat, no pressure, no sales pitch — just real talk about what you need and how we can help.
Wait, let’s wrap this up without being too cheesy. Proverbs with animal references, especially those tied to “By Animal” roots, aren’t just old sayings from dusty books. They’re practical, timeless wisdom that still applies today, whether you’re a hunter, a small business owner, or just someone trying to make good choices. For us, that wisdom is the backbone of everything we do as a By Animal supplier. So if you’re ready to work with a supplier that actually lives by those values, reach out to get the ball rolling. We’re here to help, whenever you need us.
Koala Plush Toy References
- Bascom, W. R. (1965). The Forms of Folklore: Proverbs. The Journal of American Folklore, 78(307), 3–12.
- Herskovits, M. J. (1958). The Human Factor in Changing Africa. Alfred A. Knopf.
- Krupat, A. (1985). Native American Voices: A Reader. Vintage Books.
- Mieder, W. (2004). Proverbs: A Handbook. Greenwood Press.
- Thomson, G. (1955). The Greek Lyric Poets. Cambridge University Press.
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