Call me cousin; but cozen me not.

A friendly claim of kinship is welcome only if it comes without deception. The speaker accepts the familiar address but refuses to be cheated or manipulated.

The proverb pairs “cousin” with “cozen,” meaning to deceive. Its point is that closeness, whether real or merely claimed, is no excuse for dishonest treatment.

Use it to object when someone appeals to family ties or friendly familiarity while trying to gain an unfair advantage. The wordplay gives the warning a playful edge, but the boundary is firm.