When a powerful person loses their position or influence, the followers and hangers-on quickly abandon them. It highlights the fair-weather nature of many relationships built on power.
A vivid metaphor from rural life, often used in political or business contexts to describe the collapse of a patron-client network.
It exposes the instrumental nature of many social ties and serves as a cautionary tale about relying on personal connections rather than genuine loyalty. It also expresses a cynical but realistic view of power.
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