Be Careful Who You Trust – African Proverbs About Caution and Character
Be Careful Who You Trust – African Proverbs About Caution and Character
Be Careful Who You Trust
African proverbs teach that sweet and sour walk hand in hand. Not everyone that smiles at you is reliable, good, or honest. Choose your friends wisely.
The notion of trust holds great importance in African culture. Proverbs about trust emphasize discernment and vigilance in human relationships — lessons that transcend time, tribe, and geography.
These sayings remind us that trust is earned and must be protected, for misplaced faith can wound deeper than betrayal itself. Below are proverbs from across Africa that reflect this delicate balance of faith, caution, and wisdom.
Selected African Proverbs About Trust
- The lion is a beautiful animal when seen at a distance. – Zulu Proverb
- One who defames another's character also defames their own. – Nigerian Proverb
- People may tell little lies small as a thorn, but they grow to the size of a spear and kill you. – Yoruba Proverb
- When a person tells you that you are ugly, you can be sure that he or she trusts you. – Nigerian Proverb
- An empty pot makes the loudest noise. – Ghanaian Proverb
- Trust in a person, but tie your camel. – Egyptian Proverb
- The skin of the leopard is beautiful, but not his heart. – DR Congo Proverb
- Who created thunder does not fear it. – African Proverb
- Hunger makes the big fish come out of hiding. – African Proverb
- The lizard had the tree in mind before challenging the dog to a fight. – African Proverb
- War has no eyes. – Swahili Proverb
- A person who loves you will warn you when you are making a mistake. – African Proverb
- Eggs and metal do not go in the same basket. – Ewe Proverb
- When you see a rat running into fire, what it is running from is hotter than the fire. – African Proverb
- No matter how much you feed a lizard, it cannot become a crocodile. – African Proverb
- The young of a snake is a snake too. – Swahili Proverb
Three Proverbs Explained
1. When a person tells you that you are ugly, you can be sure that he or she trusts you.
True trust allows honest communication, even when the truth is uncomfortable. This proverb reminds us that genuine friends correct us out of care, not cruelty.
2. An empty pot makes the loudest noise.
This teaches that people who talk the most often have the least substance. Like an empty pot that clangs loudly, those lacking integrity or wisdom make the most noise.
3. Trust in a person, but tie your camel.
This proverb balances faith and self-responsibility. It urges us to trust others while still taking reasonable precautions — wisdom that remains as relevant today as ever.
Final Thought
Trust builds communities and binds friendships, yet African proverbs remind us it should never be blind. Caution and character walk together; wisdom keeps both in balance.
