""Trust implies risk. You don't know exactly what the next person is going to do. But you are confident that he will act in ways that are congruent with your agreed upon values. The chance that he might do something quite different is what gives trust its power. But life is filled with variables that never stop changing; in matters of love, money and alliances, change is quite constant. And so, you must accept that it is inevitable that SOMETHING or SOMEBODY is going to behave in ways that either contradict your intentions or undermine your ability to enjoy certain freedoms. 

The question then becomes, 'In the midst of a constantly changing environment, where people's needs, emotions and resources are being perpetually challenged, who can you trust?' It is precisely this question that has attracted babalawos into each and every Yoruba palace since the times of Oduduwa. 

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Kings recognize the society of Ifa priests as a trustworthy institution that helps monarchs guide their kingdoms with wisdom. Here, it is very important to recognize the LEADERSHIP role the babalawo plays, even with kings. In order for the relationship to be effective, the king must trust the babalawo, but not necessarily the other way around.  While the king trusts the babalawo, the babalawo trusts Ifa. Ultimately, it is the babalawo's unyielding trust in Ifa that makes him a true asset to the king. In like fashion, the contemporary babalawo inspires trust in all of his clients. This is fundamental to living the medicine."