Known devil is better than unknown angel

The above phrase is commonly used in Nigeria to throw caution or warn young ones from taking the wrong steps by trusting or making friends with new people or strangers.

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The phrase is so powerful that it could mean different things to different people. The interpretation of the phrase differs too but in the end, it would convey the main meaning to the receiver.

The English people would find the phrase strange because they are only familiar with this phrase:

Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know 

The above is an English proverb and it could be interpreted to mean:

* A person is more comfortable and free with someone he knows very well together with his weaknesses and strengths but uncomfortable with someone he does not know so well.

* It is better to trust and relate with someone you are familiar with than to take the risk of trusting a strange person you know nothing about.

*Do not risk your life doing things you are not certain about or sure will work. Rather, follow the known, the familiar things that you know has been working and would work for you.

Whichever way you want to look at it, the phrases have powerful messages. But for the purpose of this piece, i shall be focusing on the first phrase: Known devil is better than unknown angel.

Literally, we know that the character 'devil' is known for bad things. The devil is according to many religions, responsible many evils evident in the world. He/it (depending  on whether you consider devil as a being or a thing) is responsible for why there is a hell in the first place if we consider the creation story. Now, if the devil is bad and someone/something we need not to associate with, how come he/it is being used positively in the phrase? Does it mean, since we are familiar with the devils tricks, it is easier to understand when he/it comes up with any tricks?

Some have even argued that they would prefer to trust the unknown angel since angels are characters that mean well for us. They claim that a devil should be at all times avoided since he/it can only bring misfortune to man and take man far away from God.

So literally, it is good to say an unknown angel is better than the known devil.

Contextually, the phrase is more complex than it looks. The word 'known' as used in the phrase suggest that we can practically know an individual. Experiences have proven otherwise. If we can actually know someone for certain, how come we are often shocked or surprised when they do new things? For instance, you think you know your brother so well but police came knocking on your door that he stole something from someone and you are like: my brother? Never, he can't do that! But when your brother came out, it turns out he stole the thing in question! This is why some parent never return from SHOCKS especially when they are so sure of what there children can do but were thrown to the moon with what they thought they know.

We have also seen cases where a guy at home is very gentle, humble, act as if, if you put water in his mouth and go out, you will meet same water in his mouth when you return. But this same guy is an addict. He engages in many forms of abuses! 

We cannot know anything for certain. You cannot totally vouch for someone because you have been friends for so many years. There is this thing about the nature of man that makes it dynamic. Dynamic because man can change at any given time because change is the only constant thing.

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Also, at what point did the 'known' starts and stops? If i have been a friend with someone for 10 years and think i know him too well. Now this same friend of mine traveled and came back after five years. What category does he falls? A known devil or an unknown angel? Do not forget that someone you did not see in three months can change from being the person you thought you knew. Many factors determines the change in our behaviors. Monetary factors mostly affect how we think (not totally dependent on it).

If you say the friend remain a known devil, then there is a problem with the 'known' as used in the phrase above. If you say the person becomes an 'unknown' angel, then there is also a problem with the word 'unknown'. Unknown here can be translated to mean strangers.

As an individual, i always have problem with the word 'stranger'! Those who are from Nigeria, especially the guys, must have heard ladies say: I don't talk to strangers, i don't give strangers my name, i don't give strangers my number!!! One thing is sure, we were all strangers at a time. My friends were once strangers, my mom was once a stranger to my dad, my steemian friends today were once strangers before (as i was strangers to them too before). So we are all strangers in a strange world!!!

My point is, you cannot know anyone for sure. You cannot put your 100% trust on anybody. If you do, the shock would be very high if in the end, it turns out that the person is not what you think. 

My take is neither a known devil is better nor an unknown angel is bad. Trust little. Relate with everybody equally. Expect anything from any man or do not expect anything at all! Why? Because he is a man and a possibility! Possibility because even an aged man can exhibit funny characters that he is not known for. 

Thanks for your time. Its your boy @smyle the philosopher!

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