Counting Counter Quotes: Reasonable vs Unreasonable & Confucianism

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan Seeking
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Counter Quote
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of counter quotes, exploring how various sayings can be juxtaposed against one another. Participants share quotes and propose counter quotes, often highlighting the complexity and duality of wisdom in proverbs. The scope includes philosophical reflections, cultural sayings, and humorous exchanges.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that every proverb has an opposite, prompting a playful exchange of counter quotes.
  • One participant notes the saying, "The reasonable man adapts to the world around him, while the unreasonable person tries to change the world to suit him," and invites counter quotes.
  • Another participant counters with various proverbs, such as "Silence is golden," and "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down," illustrating the nuanced interpretations of similar ideas.
  • There are humorous attempts to create new proverbs, with some participants questioning the validity of invented sayings.
  • Several participants engage in playful banter about the nature of proverbs, including the idea that "too many cooks spoil the broth" and its counterpoints.
  • Quotes from notable figures, such as Aristotle and Seneca, are presented alongside counter quotes, emphasizing the philosophical underpinnings of the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of proverbs or the validity of invented sayings. Multiple competing views and interpretations remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the origins of certain quotes, and there are unresolved questions about the definitions and interpretations of proverbs. The playful nature of the discussion leads to a mix of serious and humorous contributions.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in philosophy, linguistics, cultural sayings, or those who enjoy playful exchanges about language and wisdom may find this discussion engaging.

Ivan Seeking
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
8,252
Reaction score
2,664
I thought it might be interesting to see how many counter quotes can be found to respond to a given quote.

For example, one that hit me some time ago was that of reasonable people.

Quote: "The reasonable man adapts to the world around him, while the unreasonable person tries to change the world to suit him. Conclusion: Change only occurs because of unreasonable people."

As a counter quote: The Chinese have a saying that goes something like, "the weed that stands out the most is the one that gets knocked down first"

or

Q: "To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue. . . . [They are] gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness."-- The Confucian Analects, bk. 17:6

CQ: Nice guys finish last.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
In fact, why not make it a game like What was it - provide a counter quote and then a quote for the next person.

Q:Seize the day, put no trust in the morrow! -- Horace [Quintus Horatius Flaccus] 65 – 8 B.C. Odes, bk. I [23 B.C.], ode xi, last line
 
Old wise man once say every proverb has an opposite, even this one!
 
There is but one truth
 
the sqeeky wheel gets the grease

can't think of anything to counter that?
 
light_bulb said:
the sqeeky wheel gets the grease

can't think of anything to counter that?

Silence is golden.
 
speak now or forever hold your peace.
 
An inability to stay quiet is one of the most conspicuous failings of mankind. ~Walter Bagehot
 
Actions speak louder than words.
 
  • #10
The pen is mightier than the sword.
 
  • #11
Two heads are better than one, and, indeed, many hands make light work, but only so long as it's not a case of too many Chiefs and not enough Indians, because too many cooks spoil the broth.
 
  • #12
aah that one's hard... all I can think of is:

"The more the merrier—ALWAYS!"

... but I kind of cheated...

here's mine:

"This proverb has no opposite." --- muahaha there's no way out of that one!
 
  • #13
moe darklight said:
"This proverb has no opposite." --- muahaha there's no way out of that one!
Yeah there is: it's not a real proverb. You just invented it.
 
  • #14
zoobyshoe said:
Two heads are better than one, and, indeed, many hands make light work, but only so long as it's not a case of too many Chiefs and not enough Indians, because too many cooks spoil the broth.

One shouldn't bother with broth anyway, as an apple a day is much better at keeping the doctor away.
 
  • #15
zoobyshoe said:
Yeah there is: it's not a real proverb. You just invented it.

Well someone has to. All the proverbs are so old, nobody's making new proverbs now a days. I say you don't have to be ancient and chinese or greek to write a proverb! and I think that's a good candidate for being a proverb!
 
  • #16
franznietzsche said:
Actions speak louder than words.

say what you mean and mean what you say
 
  • #17
light_bulb said:
the sqeeky wheel gets the grease

can't think of anything to counter that?
There is an opposing Japanese proverb "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down."
 
  • #18
jimmysnyder said:
There is an opposing Japanese proverb "The nail that sticks up gets hammered down."

Two nails in the hand are worth one in the board.
 
  • #19
Of what use is it that the cow gives plenty of milk, if she upset the pail.
 
  • #20
Try counter quoting this one :

Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value.
- Albert Einstein (Don't know if he really said it)
 
  • #21
franznietzsche said:
Two nails in the hand are worth one in the board.
Measure twice, chop once.
 
  • #22
Two wrongs don't make a right (but three lefts do.)
 
  • #23
dontdisturbmycircles said:
Try counter quoting this one :

Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value.
- Albert Einstein (Don't know if he really said it)
Virtue can hurt you.
 
  • #24
jimmysnyder said:
Measure twice, chop once.

That's a good one.
 
  • #25
zoobyshoe said:
Two heads are better than one, and, indeed, many hands make light work, but only so long as it's not a case of too many Chiefs and not enough Indians, because too many cooks spoil the broth.

moe darklight said:
aah that one's hard... all I can think of is:

"The more the merrier—ALWAYS!"

... but I kind of cheated...

here's mine:

"This proverb has no opposite." --- muahaha there's no way out of that one!

zoobyshoe said:
Yeah there is: it's not a real proverb. You just invented it.

That's the pot calling the kettle black.
 
  • #26
BobG said:
That's the pot calling the kettle black.
Birds of a feather flock together.
 
  • #27
BobG said:
That's the pot calling the kettle black.

lol you said what I wanted to say but didn't have a proverb for it!

I would have made one up but... :biggrin:

altho he didn't really make one up as much as created a proverb remix :smile: .
 
  • #28
Together we stand, divided we fall.
 
  • #29
hypatia said:
Together we stand, divided we fall.

You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose, no matter how close you are.
 
  • #30
he who laughs last laughs best.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 88 ·
3
Replies
88
Views
15K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
7K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
6K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K