Article
By Charles Anyiam-Osigwe
An irony of life is that we live and learn. As we count the years, hopefully we grow in wisdom and become purveyors of the wisdom we have gathered over the years dispensing them most especially to the younger generation.
But I want to ask you, have you stopped to consider that some of these “wisdom” we dispense can be quite contradictory. Lets look at a few examples.
- Never give up… Just quit while you’re ahead.
- Keep your enemies close… Avoid danger.
- Respect your elders… Not if they don’t earn it.
- Always look both ways… Unless it’s a one-way street. (Any way, if you live in Nigeria, better look both ways it’s safer that way)
- There are two sides to every story… Maybe more, it depends on who stands to gain what.
- First impressions matter ……Never trust first impressions.
- Actions speak louder than words… Words can move mountains.
- Practice makes perfect… Don’t overdo it.
- All good things must come to an end… Endings signify the beginning of a good thing.
- If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em… A man is known by the company he keeps.
- There’s no time like the present… The future looks bright.
- A penny saved is a penny earned… What is the worth of a penny today?
- You can’t judge a book by its cover… These days little is left to the imagination.
- Good things come to those who wait… Those who wait never win.
- Two heads are better than one… Always listen to yourself
- Honesty is the best policy… You sometime have to be economical with the truth.
- Absence makes the heart grow fonder… Out of sight is out of mind.
- If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it… Change is the only constant.
- Better late than never… Have respect for time
- Bad news travels fast… Gossip travels faster.
- Better safe than sorry… Never play it safe, and never apologize.
- Curiosity killed the cat… Seek for knowledge.
- Love is blind… “Shine your eyes” in whatever you do.
- Money doesn’t grow on trees… You can grow trees for money.
- Misery loves company… Company will make you miserable.
- There’s no place like home… Travel broadens the mind.
As you can see, life is full of contradictions. The list can go on and on. Any way, as they say, “ A word is enough for the wise.” However, since this article is over 400 words, it is by no means a pointer to your wisdom or lack thereof.
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