Meaning
The most dangerous enemies are those who utilize the cover of proximity and politeness.
Usage Context
Used by the diviner when a client refuses to believe that an associate is the source of their problems.
This proverb encapsulates the core negative warning of Òdí Méjì: devastating betrayal from hidden spaces. The 'teeth' are the visible facade—flattery and politeness. The 'heart' is the enclosed chamber where jealousy and violent agendas are secretly incubated. It instructs the seeker to stop evaluating their environment based on superficial comfort; they must use intuition to see the lethal intent hidden behind the smile.
The most dangerous enemies are those who utilize the cover of proximity and politeness.
Used by the diviner when a client refuses to believe that an associate is the source of their problems.
The teeth often smile generously while the heart plots murder. A bright face can mask a dark agenda; trust your intuition over appearances. Visible politeness is often the shield of the unseen enemy.
Feeds the Lucumí insistence on silence in Odi Méyi because 'walls have ears'.