📚 The Road to Hell: Paved with Good Intentions and Even Worse Ideas 🛤️
Definition:
The road to hell is paved with good intentions - This proverb suggests that even the noblest intentions can lead to unintended negative consequences if not backed by appropriate actions.
Similar Terms & Expressions:
- Half measures: Incomplete or insufficient efforts
- Lip service: Insincere expression of support or intention
- Wishful thinking: Believing something is true because one wishes it
- Empty promises: Pledges made without real intention or effort to fulfill
- The best-laid plans of mice and men: Even the most carefully prepared plans can go wrong
Humor-filled Quotes:
- “Good intentions are not enough. They’ve never put an onion in the soup yet.” — Sonya Levien
- “A cookie with chocolate chips is like a compliment without sincerity—nice but hollow.” — Anonymous
Proverbs:
- “Man plans, and God laughs.” — Yiddish Proverb
- “It’s the thought that counts.” — Common fallible wisdom
Literary References:
- John Ray’s Proverb Collection (1678): Early documentation of the phrase’s sentiment, “Hell is full of good meanings and wishes, but heaven is full of good works.”
- Charles Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend (1865): “You recollect what pavement is said to be made of good intentions. It is made of bad intentions, too.”
Suggested Literature, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Books: The Road to Character by David Brooks
- Songs: “Good Intentions” by Toad the Wet Sprocket
- Poetry: If— by Rudyard Kipling
- Movies: Pay It Forward (2000)
Thought-Provoking Farewell
Intentions are the whispers of the soul, but action is its voice. Until we meet again at the crossroads of contemplation and execution, may your ways be paved with persistence and success.
Eleanor N. Fulbight
### Which of these is a real idiom?
- [x] The road to hell is paved with good intentions
- [ ] Swimming in ambrosia fields
- [ ] Skating on verbal ice
- [ ] Eating promises for breakfast
> **Explanation:** "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" is a well-known idiom warning that good intentions are useless without the right actions. The others are fun but made-up nonsense!
### Which phrase is genuine?
- [x] Lip service
- [ ] Tree hugging politics
- [ ] Cloud chasing
- [ ] Melody munching
> **Explanation:** "Lip service" refers to insincere praise or verbosity without follow-through. The rest? Utter balderdash!
### True or False: 'Half measures' is an idiom
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** True, indeed! 'Half measures' means doing something inadequately or insufficiently, often leading to failure.
