If you don't trust someone to look after your investments, then

“If you don't trust someone to look after your investments, then they shouldn't be doing the job for you.” Thus spoke Murray Walker, a man famed for his voice in the roaring world of Formula One, yet here he delivered wisdom that reaches far beyond the racetrack. His words remind us of a truth as old as civilization itself: that the foundation of stewardship is not skill alone, but trust. For what good is a steward, an advisor, or a leader, if the one who appoints him cannot believe in his loyalty? Without trust, every calculation is fragile, every result uncertain, every gain poisoned with fear.

The meaning of this saying is clear: to entrust is to give not only resources but confidence, and this confidence must never be given lightly. When you place your investments—whether of gold, of land, of time, or of heart—into the care of another, you give them power. And power, if not wielded with integrity, becomes corruption. Walker’s wisdom is a reminder to guard against false stewards: if you cannot look upon them with trust, then they are not worthy of the position, however skilled they may appear.

The ancients lived by this law. The Greeks spoke often of the treasurers of their city-states, who were chosen not only for competence but for honor, for their reputations were tested by the people. In Rome, betrayal of financial trust was punished more harshly than common theft, for to steal from the public purse was to steal from the life of the whole republic. Cicero himself declared that no man who betrayed trust could be called honorable, regardless of his cleverness or accomplishments. The ancients knew what Walker repeats: trust is the true currency of stewardship.

History provides a mirror in the story of Alexander Hamilton, who as the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury laid the foundations of America’s financial system. At a time when the young nation trembled under debt and suspicion, Hamilton’s genius was not enough—he also needed the trust of George Washington, who defended him against fierce rivals. Because Washington believed in his integrity, Hamilton was allowed to build structures of credit and finance that endure to this day. Without that bond of trust, even his brilliance would have faltered.

Yet the world has also seen the ruin that comes when trust is misplaced. In the early 2000s, the collapse of Enron destroyed the fortunes of thousands. The company’s leaders manipulated accounts, deceived investors, and feasted on illusions. Those who had trusted them were betrayed, and their investments crumbled into dust. This tragedy stands as a warning: if there is doubt in a steward’s honesty, if one cannot truly trust them, then they are not fit for the role. To hand over resources to the untrustworthy is to invite ruin with one’s own hand.

The lesson for us is this: in life, each of us has treasures to guard—our money, yes, but also our time, our energy, our dreams. Be cautious to whom you entrust these things. Do not be dazzled by titles or deceived by appearances. Measure the heart as much as the hand. If you cannot feel the quiet certainty of trust, then walk away, for no reward is worth the price of betrayal. Better to keep your treasure close than to surrender it to one unworthy.

Therefore, children of tomorrow, remember Murray Walker’s wisdom: trust is the true measure of worthiness. Let it be the first test, the deepest standard, the unshakable condition of any stewardship. In your dealings, whether with money, with work, or with love, ask always: “Can I trust this person with what I hold most dear?” If the answer is no, then they should not stand in that place. Choose your guardians wisely, and when you yourself are chosen, be the kind of steward whose integrity inspires trust. For in trust lies the strength of every bond, the safety of every investment, and the honor of every soul.