--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Trust is a fragile thing. Once earned, it…" description: "\"Trust is a fragile thing. Once earned, it affords us tremendous freedom. But once trust is lost, it can be impossible to recover. Of course the truth i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef2/mary-alice-39605_betray_trust-is-a-fragile-thing-once-earned-it_2027176.jpg" --- # Trust is a fragile thing. Once earned, it affords us… ![“Trust is a fragile thing. Once earned, it affords us tremendous freedom. But once trust is lost, it can be impossible to recover. Of course the truth is, we never know who we can trust. Those we're closest to can betray us, and total strangers can come to our rescue. In the end, most people decide…” quote by Mary Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef2/mary-alice-39605_betray_trust-is-a-fragile-thing-once-earned-it_2027176.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef2/mary-alice-39605_betray_trust-is-a-fragile-thing-once-earned-it_2027176.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef2/mary-alice-39605_betray_trust-is-a-fragile-thing-once-earned-it_2027176.jpg) > “Trust is a fragile thing. Once earned, it affords us tremendous freedom. But once trust is lost, it can be impossible to recover. Of course the truth is, we never know who we can trust. Those we're closest to can betray us, and total strangers can come to our rescue. In the end, most people decide to trust only themselves. It really is the simplest way to keep from getting burned.” [Mary Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-alice/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Trust is easily broken and hard to rebuild; losing it can feel irreversible, leading many to rely only on themselves for safety. **In simple terms:** Trust is fragile and hard to regain. Key Takeaway Guard your trust wisely. Themes trust vulnerability self-reliance Mood cautious reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal relationships - business partnerships - online interactions Key Concepts psychology risk management Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide when to give someone another chance? - What safeguards can you set to protect yourself? A Different Perspective Trust can be rebuilt with time and consistent behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desperate housewives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desperate-housewives/) [Fragile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fragile/) [Fragile things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fragile-things/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life and love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-and-love/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger/) [Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust/) [Trust Is Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust-is-lost/) ## Related quotes > [Trust is a fragile thing once earned, it affords us tremendous freedom but once trust is lost, it can be impossible to recover of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ash-sweeney/trust-is-a-fragile-thing-once-earned-it-affords-us-tremendous-freedom-3/) [Ash Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ash-sweeney/) > [Trust is a fragile thing once earned, it affords us tremendous freedom but once trust is lost, it can be impossible to recover of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desperate-housewives/trust-is-a-fragile-thing-once-earned-it-affords-us-tremendous-freedom/) Desperate Housewives > [When truth takes a backseat to ego and politics, trust is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-lencioni/when-truth-takes-a-backseat-to-ego-and-politics-trust-is-lost/) [Patrick Lencioni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-lencioni/) > [“A woman needs to be told that you would sacrifice anything for her. A man needs to be told he is being useful. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adams/a-woman-needs-to-be-told-that-you-would-sacrifice-anything-for-her-a/) [Scott Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adams/) > [When a friend offers you food, all trust is lost. ME:](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-rodriguez/when-a-friend-offers-you-food-all-trust-is-lost-me/) Saul Rodriguez > [He who have two grounds of trust is lost!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/he-who-have-two-grounds-of-trust-is-lost/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Betrayal is the harshest pain. Trust is lost, will we ever feel the same? Forever discontent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/betrayal-is-the-harshest-pain-trust-is-lost-will-we-ever-feel-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Without truth, trust is lost. The ACA could not have been passed were it not for the repeated assertions, which proved to be false,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-mcmahon/without-truth-trust-is-lost-the-aca-could-not-have-been-passed-were/) [Linda McMahon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-mcmahon/) > [When trust is lost, a nation's ability to transact business is palpably undermined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/when-trust-is-lost-a-nation-s-ability-to-transact-business-is/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [“In a relationship, when trust is lost, everything is lost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/in-a-relationship-when-trust-is-lost-everything-is-lost/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [If you run a business, and I see F1 as a business, if you have to go back every five weeks saying 'oh, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guenther-steiner/if-you-run-a-business-and-i-see-f1-as-a-business-if-you-have-to-go/) [Guenther Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guenther-steiner/) > [“Trust is a fragile commodity. Know your code of conduct and the values you stand for. Remember: if you wouldn’t want to explain it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-chapman/trust-is-a-fragile-commodity-know-your-code-of-conduct-and-the-values/) [Gary Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-chapman/) > [TRUST is a fragile thing. Easy to break, Easy to lose and one of the hardest things to ever get back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/trust-is-a-fragile-thing-easy-to-break-easy-to-lose-and-one-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Trust is fragile. Yet, the forces that crush it are not. Therefore, the person who is willing to extend trust into an environment such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/trust-is-fragile-yet-the-forces-that-crush-it-are-not-therefore-the/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [“I, of all people, know that trust is fragile, and even the people who love you aren’t above betrayal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-mcknight/i-of-all-people-know-that-trust-is-fragile-and-even-the-people-who/) [Zoe McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-mcknight/) ## More by Mary Alice > [Everyone in the world needs someone they can depend on. Be their faithful friends, determined advocates, or a loving family. But occasionally in life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-alice/everyone-in-the-world-needs-someone-they-can-depend-on-be-their/) [Mary Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-alice/) > [People are complicated creatures. On the one hand, capable of great acts of charity, and on the other, capable of the most underhanded forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-alice/people-are-complicated-creatures-on-the-one-hand-capable-of-great/) [Mary Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-alice/) > [We are all searching for someone, that special person, who will provide what's missing in our lives -- One who can offer companionship, assistance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-alice/we-are-all-searching-for-someone-that-special-person-who-will-provide/) [Mary Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-alice/) > [There is a prayer intended to give strength to people faced with circumstances they don’t want to accept. The power of the prayer comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-alice/there-is-a-prayer-intended-to-give-strength-to-people-faced-with/) [Mary Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-alice/) > [Yes, you can learn a lot about women, from what they choose to wear. 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They remind us of the long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-alice/cameras-are-simple-tools-designed-to-capture-images-images-that-tell/) [Mary Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-alice/) > [Life is a journey one that much better traveled with a companion by our side. Sometimes, we lose our companions along the way and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-alice/life-is-a-journey-one-that-much-better-traveled-with-a-companion-by/) [Mary Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-alice/) > [Mary Alice (voiceover): Competition, it means different things to different people. But whether it’s a friendly rivalry...or a fight to the death...the end result…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-alice/mary-alice-voiceover-competition-it-means-different-things-to/) [Mary Alice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-alice/) [Explore all 11 Mary Alice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-alice/) ## More Betray quotes > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [“Ash,” Mab crooned as he drew near. “My poor boy. Rowan told me what happened between the two of you, but I know you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/ash-mab-crooned-as-he-drew-near-my-poor-boy-rowan-told-me-what/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“79. A soul which knows that it is loved, but does not itself love, betrays its sediment: its dregs come up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/79-a-soul-which-knows-that-it-is-loved-but-does-not-itself-love/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Joy doesn't betray but sustains activism. And when you face a politics that aspires to make you fearful, alienated and isolated, joy is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/joy-doesn-t-betray-but-sustains-activism-and-when-you-face-a-politics/) [Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/) > [Even if we have to go without bread, we Albanians do not violate principles. We do not betray Marxism - Leninism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enver-hoxha/even-if-we-have-to-go-without-bread-we-albanians-do-not-violate/) [Enver Hoxha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enver-hoxha/) > [Stop holding onto people that treat you like crap. They might be nice sometimes, but the rest of the time they disrespect you and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-parker/stop-holding-onto-people-that-treat-you-like-crap-they-might-be-nice/) [Sonya Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-parker/) > [Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/now-the-brother-shall-betray-the-brother-to-death-and-the-father-the/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [One day you and I will have to have a little talk about this business called love. I still don't understand what it's all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/one-day-you-and-i-will-have-to-have-a-little-talk-about-this-business/) [Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/) > [“Sarai, you never know who might betray you until it’s too late.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-redmerski/sarai-you-never-know-who-might-betray-you-until-it-s-too-late/) [J.A. Redmerski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-redmerski/) > [Waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can't ensure, who may stay in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/waking-up-every-day-and-loving-someone-who-may-or-may-not-love-us/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Indifference must be a crime in us, to be ranked but one degree below treachery; for deserting the commonwealth is next to betraying it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke/indifference-must-be-a-crime-in-us-to-be-ranked-but-one-degree-below/) [Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke/) > [The zombie is in a lot of ways the perfect horror movie bad guy. It plays on so many fears all at once. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gunn/the-zombie-is-in-a-lot-of-ways-the-perfect-horror-movie-bad-guy-it/) [James Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gunn/) > [Books should confuse. Literature abhors the typical. Literature flows to the particular, the mundane, the greasiness of paper, the taste of warm beer, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rodriguez/books-should-confuse-literature-abhors-the-typical-literature-flows/) [Richard Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rodriguez/) > [It is up to us to take care of this planet, it is our only home. To betray nature is to betray us. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-ea/it-is-up-to-us-to-take-care-of-this-planet-it-is-our-only-home-to/) [Prince Ea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince-ea/) > [In his bleak mercy, Death forever strips The soul of light and memory, rendering blind Our vision, lest surmounted deeps appal, As when on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-ashton-smith/in-his-bleak-mercy-death-forever-strips-the-soul-of-light-and-memory/) [Clark Ashton Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-ashton-smith/) Browse all 966 Betray quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Trust is a fragile thing. Once earned, it affords us tremendous freedom. But once trust is lost, it can be impossible to recover. Of course the truth is, we never know who we can trust. Those we're closest to can betray us, and total strangers can come to our rescue. In the end, most people decide to trust only themselves. 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