(idiomatic) the fish rots from the head

(chiefly literary) truly; indeed; without doubt

upper level

to begin

street / traffic / quality of flowing / reputation, name / understanding / in accordance with

as, in accordance with / roughly / street

That's right, you can say that again (that is very true), quite so, I agree

as; like; similar to / in the same way as; just like / following; as it is written; as described / according to; in accordance with / following the example of; in the pattern of

to spoil, rot, corrode, moulder / to speak ill of

rot / spoil / corrode / be corrupt, degenerate / be dejected