Never trust thine enemy: for like as iron rusteth, so is…
“Never trust thine enemy: for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness. Though he humble himself and go crouching, yet take good heedand beware of him, and thou shalt be unto him as if thou hadst wiped a looking-glass,and thou shalt know that his rust hath not been altogether wiped away.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Beware that a person's outward humility may hide deep, unremoved corruption, similar to rust that cannot be fully cleaned.
In simple terms: Appearances can hide lingering corruption.
Key Takeaway
Stay vigilant and assess character beyond surface behavior.
Themes
trust
deception
character
integrity
Mood
cautious
skeptical
Type
advice
warning
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- leadership
- political alliances
Key Concepts
moral vigilance
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you evaluate true character?
- What signs indicate lingering corruption?
A Different Perspective
Even humbled behavior may not erase past misdeeds.