trust everybody, but cut the cards

Etymology
Reportedly coined by (1867-1936) and expressed in dialect by his character "Mr. Dooley" in Mr. Dooley's Philosophy (1900), p. 260: "Thrust ivrybody—but cut th' ca-ards."

Proverb

 * 1) Have general faith in the good intentions of others, but never neglect to take appropriate precautions against being deceived or cheated.

Usage notes

 * Many variations are found, as in:
 * 1996, Susan Porter Benson, "Living on the Margin" in The Sex of Things (Victoria De Grazia, ed.), ISBN 9780520200340, p. 236 (Google preview):
 * Even in the most promising circumstances, a woman might trust her husband but still cut the cards.