I've worked in and around librarians for little about 20 years. In all that time, I've dealt with all kinds of people and all kinds of problems.
What I've discovered is that people only tell you part of a story. You know - their side of the story. I suspect it's because they want you to see them in a favorable light. The problem is that if I don't know the real story, I can't really help them find the resources they need to help them solve their problem(s).
What I've discovered is that people only tell you part of a story. You know - their side of the story. I suspect it's because they want you to see them in a favorable light. The problem is that if I don't know the real story, I can't really help them find the resources they need to help them solve their problem(s).
That's that way with most things, isn't? People share only what they think is important.
For example, have you ever heard the phrase, "Curiosity killed the cat?" What is suggests is that anyone who is excessively curious can/will get dead. The problem is that that is not the entire story. The entire quote states, "Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back" suggesting that it is boredom that kills people and that curiosity is actually a healthy thing.
For example, have you ever heard the phrase, "Curiosity killed the cat?" What is suggests is that anyone who is excessively curious can/will get dead. The problem is that that is not the entire story. The entire quote states, "Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back" suggesting that it is boredom that kills people and that curiosity is actually a healthy thing.
How about "Blood is thicker that water." My dad used to say this to me suggesting that you need to be loyal to your family, above all others. The problem is that's not the correct phraseology. The complete statement is, "The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb" suggesting that the decisions we make are stronger than any family relationships.
Other mis-quoted quotes include:
Wrong: Jack of all trades, master of none (suggests that a person is not good at anything).
Correct: Jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than master of one (suggesting that its better to be versatile and well-rounded than to only know one thing).
Wrong: Great minds think alike (suggesting that if two or more people are thinking the same thing that it must be a great thought).
Correct: Great minds think alike, though fools rarely differ (suggesting that conformity is not always a good thing. Stop trying to think like everyone else).
Wrong: Birds of a feather flock together (suggesting that people of similar ideas stick together).
Correct: Birds of a feather flock together, until the cat comes (suggesting that as long as all is well, people will stick together. When any problem comes up or they are actually called upon to act, fair weather friends turn and run away).
Wrong: The early bird catches the worm (suggesting the go-getters get better things).
Correct: The early bird catches the worm, but it's the second mouse that gets the cheese (suggesting that insisting on being first all the time might actually get you killed).
I could go on and on (what with being a Librarian, and all) but the moral to this story is don't believe the first thing you hear. Take your time to understand what is being said, ask questions if you don't understand, and then, when you have all (or more of) the facts, you can better explore your options.
No comments:
Post a Comment