Origin of "peculiar" sayings

[V]

There are a few things which some people like to say that I've always found annoying to hear, mainly because of the illogic expressed in what they seemed to find very satisfying to say.

Two examples come to mind:

"If ain't broke, don't fix it," which I always found odd with its implication that improvement was out of the question.

The second is, "Would you rather be right, or happy," which always struck me as containing a false dicotomy.

In both cases, these are said with a certain smug expression, suggesting they are unanswerable. Can people really be that dumb?

[STEELER NATION]

Dude U THINK TOO MUCH!!!!!! Just relax it helps trust me!!!!!!!!

[V]

Steeler, in case you're curious, and even if you're not, it appears that Bert Lance was the origin of the first, annoying expression I mentioned. As for the second, "Would you rather be right, or happy?", it seems no one is willing to claim credit for that little jewel.

The first sucks because of its implication that anything that is, cannot be improved. We'd still be riding bareback if that was the standard, much less getting to the automobile, airplane or space shuttle.

The second is just a plainly anti-intellectual jab, implying there is no value in being right about anything- when the whole enterprise of human thought, and its application, science, is to separate what is right from what is not right in our understanding of all that is, was, and may yet be.

[Liz]

V,

I can appreciate your analytic view of phrases or words. They become a lot more meaningful when you seek to understand their true or intended meaning. As a law student, we have spent a four hour class on one sentence. I cannot tell you how much I still do not know about the english language from taking four semesters in spanish. I had a linguistics professor from Cuba and I now know more about the correct use of the spanish language then I do my own.
Can we overanalyze words or events? For SURE~ However, some of us would rather be bothered and find our own truth than allow others words to speak for us.

[Steve]

Well there's a blast from the past! Hope all is well Liz

[kmontoya]

Originally Posted by V

Steeler, in case you're curious, and even if you're not, it appears that Bert Lance was the origin of the first, annoying expression I mentioned. As for the second, "Would you rather be right, or happy?", it seems no one is willing to claim credit for that little jewel.

The first sucks because of its implication that anything that is, cannot be improved. We'd still be riding bareback if that was the standard, much less getting to the automobile, airplane or space shuttle.

The second is just a plainly anti-intellectual jab, implying there is no value in being right about anything- when the whole enterprise of human thought, and its application, science, is to separate what is right from what is not right in our understanding of all that is, was, and may yet be.

ok all of your examples are right except..... we would all still be riding bare back!! i tried the saddle thing. its just too plain restricting!!! not to mention you get the feel of what ha ha or who you are riding without the saddle. ive been riding horses for 38 years and i always ride bareback!! just saying!!