# Like a fouled spring or a ruined fountain is a righteous person tottering before wicked people
One expects a spring or fountain to have clear water, just as one expects a righteous man to stand for what he believes. A polluted spring or fountain is compared to a righteous man who falls. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
Tottering is a metaphor for either 1) refusing to fight wicked people or 2) joining in their wickedness. Alternate translation: "who allows wicked people to do wickedness" or "who starts to do what wicked people do" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
Possible meanings are 1) "when wicked people attack him" or 2) "when wicked people urge him to do evil." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
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