Misquotes attributed to Benjamin Franklin are legion. It works both ways. Often when people quote the Bible they are really quoting Franklin. In case you did not know, the Bible does not say,
“God helps those who help themselves.”Let me suggest some reasons people quote. The first is because what is being said has value. The quote is put in a pithy and clever way that grabs your attention and delivers a message. In this case it is not always important who said it, it is still true.
The second reason is to add clout to what you want to say. If you are talking about physics and can quote Einstein, you are half way home. If you are talking about morality and can quote Jesus you have made your point with some people and destroyed it with others.
A third is that people will find your point hard to swallow. It is just your opinion and, as Rodney Dangerfield would say, “You don’t get no respect.” If someone they respect says what you are advocating, it might get them to listen and maybe think.
How will people quote you? You may not be aware of it but people repeat what you say. It may be as low a purpose as gossip. It may be life changing. But it happens. Wait until you hear your children repeat something you said. You might even hear your spouse repeat you, but accept the fact that you will not get credit for it.
homo unius libri
Poor old Confucius get saddled with a lot of things he never said.
ReplyDeleteI forgot about him. He is quoted as much as Franklin. I got the Works of Confucius from Project Gutenberg and read through them. I couldn't find much that would make pithy quotes.
ReplyDeleteKeep me straight.
Grace and peace.