This proverb emphasizes collective moral responsibility — especially the duty of those with knowledge or authority to prevent harm or stop it when it begins. It conveys the moral truth that silence in the face of wrongdoing amounts to complicity.

A responsible elder or leader acts before harm occurs, intervening when misdeeds are imminent or underway. Those who wait until after the damage is done may share equal blame with the wrongdoers.

In some Ghanaian communities, eating snakes is taboo, though innocent children may sometimes break this rule unknowingly. When that happens, elders and leaders must step in at once. To look on in silence is to share in the offense. The proverb reminds us that an elder who fails to act when a breach unfolds becomes a culprit by inaction, for they know better.

The same principle applies in modern organizations and society at large. Ethical lapses in the workplace, corruption in governance, or misconduct in communities all demand timely intervention. Whether in a university, a business, or a nation, silence by those who know better allows wrongdoing to thrive.

This is the spirit of the Ashesi Honor Code, which calls every member of the community to uphold integrity not only through personal conduct, but also by refusing to stay silent when others act dishonestly.