To relax a bit, here is a vivid Khmer proverb:
កុំយកស្ករទៅផ្ញើរនឹងស្រមោច។
Vocabulary:
ស្ករ: sugar
ផ្ញើ: to entrust someone with the care of something
ស្រមោច: ant
The author of this proverb warns against entrusting sugar to ants!
Of course, it would be like leaving a bear to guard honey, or giving a bag of sweets to a greedy child!
This Khmer proverb means that one should not entrust their possessions to those who are naturally inclined to take or misuse them. It is a universal image, present in many cultures; in English, the closest might be “don’t invite trouble,” or “don’t set a fox to guard the henhouse.” The message is popular wisdom: before placing your trust, consider to whom you’re entrusting it, and ensure the person is honest and capable.
