With the Japanese proverb “Nail that sticks out” it refers to a person that does not blend in. I believe with today's entrepreneurial nessecities. True entrepreneurs can blossom. The nail or person brave enough to stand up to their boss or rights may get a hammering and may stick out but they might win big in the court case.
I believe the second one is also Japanese too.
It refers to judging a man or woman based on the friends they keep.
What this doesn't account for is shitty company you are forced to keep because you couldn't get out of a bad circle of friends or coworkers. People shouldn't judge you for this also.
I'm not sure but there's definitely some people I don't like when I'm working or judge unfairly. This is human nature and to understand this means you can better understand yourself.
So in summary some rules can be bent others broken if done with the right mindset.
Not all proverbs are solid.