English Explanatory Dictionary

trust everybody, but cut the cards

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb
  1. One should have general faith in the good intentions of others, but one should never neglect to take appropriate precautions against being deceived or cheated.

Word forms

trust everybody, but cut the cards trust everybody, but always cut the cards trust everybody, but cut the deck trust every man, but cut the cards trust your friends, but cut the cards

Etymology

Reportedly coined by Finley Peter Dunne (1867-1936) and expressed in dialect by his character "Mr. Dooley" in Mr. Dooley's Philosophy (1900), p. 260: "Thrust ivrybody—but cut th' ca-ards."

Related words

divide and choose trust, but verify
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