This proverb highlights the delicate relationship between subjects and their king or leader. The fire represents power and authority. If you stay too far away (like from a fire), you do not benefit from its warmth or assistance, which can harm you due to lack of support or recognition. But if you get too close, you risk getting burned, meaning you may be punished or attract unwanted attention. This proverb serves as a reminder that it is crucial to maintain the right distance in relationships of power, to reap the benefits while avoiding the dangers. An equivalent English proverb might be: ‘Too close to the king, too close to the axe’.