Sayings that need to die painful deaths.

Okay, so that's a little extreme. Maybe somewhat painful deaths. At least just die. There are a few of these "pearls" that have been on my mind, as I think of the way that people are implementing them lately.  There will probably be a few others I'll end up adding, as they strike me.

#1 "It's easier to ask forgiveness than ask permission."

Boy, I know a lot of people who subscribe to this one. Yes, it is, indeed, easier. Easy does not mean better. This saying essentially says it's okay to steamroll over someone, as long as you say you're sorry later. Well, no, it's not. How about another saying, The Golden Rule: "Do unto others, as you would have done onto you." Something like that--also known as karma, the law of three, and many other guises. Pretty universal stuff, that one. I'm sure "walking a mile in someone else's shoes" is a great way to realize that #1 is a rude cop out.

#2 "Boys will be boys."

This one rankles me because I know too many good, decent men and boys who don't need to rely on this excuse. Having testosterone isn't a handicap. I sure wouldn't want to have a catch phrase for my bad behavior. "Call a spade a spade" (to use another cliché).

#3 "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

No, it's not. I'm thoroughly convinced that this was dreamed up by the one doing the imitating, not the one being imitated. Never in my lifetime have I felt the warm fuzzies when someone has used my ideas. There are plenty of fresh ways to look at the same thing; it just takes the guts to take a chance and try it, possibly messing up in the process...however, the originals out there have that in them, and that's what they've done--perfected.

One saying that's actually resonating with me a lot lately is from none other than Judge Judy (and she, in turn, has attributed it to her father):

"Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining."

The stellar saying, "Honesty is the best policy" is dead on.  It's not easy--like asking forgiveness later, imitating rather than innovating, or excusing bad behavior with hormones.  Not easy at all sometimes, and it can have its costs.  However, it's a clean life, and it's a respectable one.  When my leg is "peed on," I not only lose trust, I lose respect.  Maybe I'm old school--I'm not even 40 yet, so it's saddens me to think that it went down the tube so quickly--but I was taught that one's word is their ultimate gift; shake a hand and give your word, it's golden.  It seems to be a dying concept, and I suppose there will soon be another "great" saying to excuse it.  I'll just continue on what is becoming "the road less traveled," I suppose.  At least I have my friends for some company on it.