Sending a message by someone who can’t be trusted is like harming yourself. This proverb says it’s as risky as cutting off your own feet or drinking violence. The Hebrew phrase for "drinks violence" (shoteh chamas) paints a vivid picture: you’re bringing chaos into your own life. The surprising message is that not everyone is a safe messenger. In a culture obsessed with delegation and outsourcing, this proverb says that who you trust matters as much as what you say.

If you’ve ever had someone misrepresent you, twist your words, or fail to deliver an important message, you know the damage it can cause. This verse is a reminder to choose carefully who speaks for you. If you want something done right—or even just done at all—sometimes you have to do it yourself, or at least pick someone who’s proven they can handle it.