The phrase "Fish and guests smell after three days" is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, but the true origin is unclear. The concept behind the saying is that even the most welcome visitors will eventually overstay their welcome and become unpleasant., Environmental psychology helps us understand the trouble with house guests, and how to be a good house guest that doesn't wear out our welcome., Have you ever been that guest or neighbor? My late father used to visit no longer than three days, “because,” he would say, “guests are like fish; they both start to stink after three days.” “Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.” —Proverbs 25:17 ASV, Fish and visitors smell in three days. (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher., It suggests that the longer guests stay, the more uncomfortable or inconvenient their presence may become. Just as fish that have been left out for too long emit an unpleasant odor, so too do guests overstay their welcome., Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days. - Benjamin Franklin quotes at AZquotes.com..