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Kapon viv lontan
Meaning
Avoiding unnecessary risks can help keep you safe.
This proverb is often used to explain or humorously defend the decision to back away from a dangerous or uncertain situation.
English Equivalent: Better safe than sorry.
Literal Meaning: Cowards live long.
Example 1
M a al nan makèt la yon lòt lè. Lapli a ap tonbe twò fò. Kapon viv lontan!
I'll go to the market another time. It's raining too heavily. Better safe than sorry!
Example 2
Ka gen chen mechan nan lakou a. M ap tann mèt kay la vin chèche nou nan pòtay la. Kapon viv lontan!
There may be vicious dogs in the yard. I'll wait for the homeowner to meet us at the gate. Better safe than sorry!
Caution or Cowardice?
The word kapon describes someone who is cowardly, timid, or easily frightened.
In this proverb, however, the word is often used humorously. Someone may call themselves a kapon while explaining why they chose not to take an unnecessary risk.
The proverb suggests that walking away from danger is not always a sign of weakness. Sometimes, it is simply a sensible act of self-preservation.
You can use Kapon viv lontan when someone avoids dangerous weather, an aggressive animal, an unsafe location, or another situation that does not seem worth the risk.
The proverb does not mean that people should avoid every difficult challenge. It specifically emphasizes the value of recognizing and avoiding unnecessary danger.
The exact historical origin of the proverb is uncertain.