Questioning old words....

I was speaking to a friend the other day and we started talking about how the saying 'Blood is thicker than water' doesn't apply all the time. This is because friends can sometimes be more reliable than blood relatives.


Well, dreamer that I am, this conversation got me thinking about some old common English sayings and how I now question them: 

(1) 'A Jack of all trades is master of none'

My take: Not any more. With the way the global economy is right now...one cannot rely on only one skill. 
There is nothing wrong with multi-tasking because one always has something to fall back on.
In today's world...A jack of ONE trade is likely to be JOB (Just Over Broke) !

(2) 'A friend in need is a friend indeed'
My take: Some 'friends' are always in need  - Does that mean they are my real friends?  Indeed, if one has to go by this saying.......a demanding friend who leeches - and is constantly coming back for more help - off you should be your truest friend? 


(3) 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush'

My take: It depends on the quality of the 'bird'. If I have one scrawny pigeon in my hand and I know there are two fat hens in the bush..................I rather get rid of the scrawny pigeon and go after the two fat hens. 
Just thinking of how those hens will taste with jollof rice will be a great incentive. LOL

(4) 'Business before Pleasure' 

My take: One should aim for a business that gives us pleasure because the passion you feel will propel you to greater heights. 
Why make life hard for yourself? ..........Make money off whatever gives you pleasure...........em........Clean stuff only though. LOL 


(5) 'An idle brain is the devil’s workshop'

My take: Sometimes one has to be idle to be able to reassess life and determine the way forward. Being busy can be counter-productive sometimes. For example, the daily routine of rushing to work in the morning and then rushing back home - at the end of the day - can leave one so exhausted that one is unable to take a step back and ask: Is this the right job for me? Idleness can be very productive.....so long as it's temporary though *smile*


(6) 'Honesty is the best policy'
My take: Dishonesty can be neccessary sometimes. I try to be honest at all times .........BUT.........As a rule, I will not tell a friend if I know their partner is cheating on them (I prefer to speak to the partner)..... I will not also tell a friend they have an ugly baby.......... 
Again, I will never tell a child they are awful at something they are trying hard to do i.e. football, drawing etc. I prefer to point out ways they could improve !  LOL
You could say my I can be dishonest to be kind when it involves emotions and children


(7) 'The more the merrier'

My take: Not all the time. When I was at uni, some girls moved around in large groups with the result that any guy who was interested in any of them, had to gain the approval of ALL of them. 

In most cases, the guy had to buy stuff for all of them, try to be nice to all of them etc - so they can put in a good word for him. 

Unfortunately, there were cases where a guy was interested in one girl and another girl was secretly fancying him. The result - the secret admirer would be very negative about the guy - discouraging the admired girl. So many girls lost out this way. The only thing I can think of that brings merriment as it multiplies - is money.

(8) 'Let sleeping dogs lie'

My take: Like I mentioned sometime ago - My father always used to say that 'If two friend never quarrel, one is cheating the other'. That is why I believe it is not always good to let sleeping dogs lie. Some issues need to be addressed once and for all - or someone will definitely remain cheated.



(9) 'The end justifies the means'

My take: I guess this is what Naija politicians tell themselves before proceeding to loot and pillage???
I disagree with this saying becomes I believe in Karma - whatever you reap, you shall sow.  



(10) 'Two Heads are Better Than One'
My take: Totally disagree because it depends on the quality of the OTHER head LOL
If I wanted to find out more about a research topic, I'd ask a University Professor. However, if I want to find out where the best tailor in town was..........my guess is that Prof is not likely to know.

So,
Do let me know any English saying that doesnt make sense to you anymore.................
xoxoxo