Some Cliche's are Worth the Knowing

It strikes me that sometimes the reason we have phrases that everyone knows is because they are actually worth knowing.   Things like "out of the frying pan and into the fire"; "look before you leap still waters run deep" and "never look a gift-horse in the mouth" are common sense. 

I mean think about it - if you are in a hot situation, it makes a great deal of sense to be certain that you are not jumping from it straight into the source of the heat when making your next move.  In learning this lesson we learn not to move quickly just for the sake of moving when we feel the heat.  We learn to assess the situation, and hopefully make a decision that takes us out of the cooking zone altogether.

And when it comes to leaping, it is always a good idea to know what you are leaping into.  The idea that the water in front of you will be shallow or easily treadible just because no ripples are seen is something to definitely reflect carefully on before you decide to take the dive.  For two very good reasons, one because it very well may be shallow - too shallow for the height at which you are plummeting toward it.  And second, because it could prove to be far too deep, and if you are not an excellent swimmer or capable of treading water until someone decides to pull you out, you are very likely to drown.  So broken bones or lungs full of water could await the incautious leaper.  Either way - not a good idea to just dive off the cliff before investigating the nature of the water you will land in.

And that gift horse.  It has very sharp teeth.  While it is your friend at the moment, pissing it off by sticking your head in its mouth to take a good hard look at what is going on inside, as if you have a right to inspect its molars (or motives), well that could very well lead to a nip on the jugular that you might not recover from.

So think about the cliche's you know.  I bet if you walk through them, you will find more often than not they are pretty much common sense guidance on taking that time to step back and assess the situation, or to deal more politely with others - or at least with more delicacy.  They can be pretty good guideposts for a civil society.  I wonder why we make so much fun of these little catch phrases?  Could it be because we fail so often to utilize their value in day to day living?

Just thinking out loud.

Cat got your tongue?