This proverb could literally be translated as: “Shoes are the ones that know if the socks have a hole.”

The shoes cover our feet and leave only a little part of the socks we wear available for people to see. The part seen looks great, most of the time. People do not really care about the part inside the shoes. Even though they would like to see it, it's inappropriate to ask people that we do not know well to take off their shoes and let us see all the socks on their feet.

In the same way, Haitian people are not open to everybody telling them about their real feelings or what they are going through. They always like to show a great image of themselves. Only a few people they trust can know about their intimate lives, their pains, their challenges…

This proverb is used to remind you that the face you see is not always the other’s reality. They hide their ugliness/pain behind social status, great smiles, or leadership positions.

Remember that: “se soulye ki konn si chosèt gen twou”.