Your Host’s House

“Do not leave your host’s house, throwing mud in his well.” (Zululand)

Consider this proverb carefully. Many times we talk about backstabbers. People who took from us and turned around and hurt us. This is another proverb on gratitude. When someone does you a favor, extends themselves, goes out of their way to help you, it is bad character to then do them harm. No matter how your relationship with them may have changed, you should not ruin them. We live in a world of bad characters, people who too quickly forget how others have served them. A person of good character will try to show appreciation, try to give what was given. Someone lent you money? Give them back their money and a little more. Someone let you stay in their home? Do some odd chores to ease the burden.

Quick story time: I once had a friend who supported me during my rough times, but we had a falling out. Years later, I meet someone who could use her skills and wisdom as an entrepreneur. Instead of bashing this ex-friend (or ignoring her existence altogether), I put the two of them in contact because it would beneficial to both of them. It doesn’t matter that I am no longer close to this woman. She helped me in my time of need, so I will not put mud in her well.