Separate the Sheep from the Goats, to
Definition and Meaning: To sort the good from the bad, the superior from the inferior. This term originates from the Bible, where Jesus makes an analogy between sheep and goats with respect to those who would sit at God’s right and left hand, respectively (Matthew 25:32).
Synonyms:
- Separate the men from the boys
- Sift the wheat from the chaff
- Distinguish the pearls from the swine
- Weed out
- Sort the diamonds from the rough
Antonyms:
- Lump together
- Confuse
- Mix indiscriminately
- Blindly assort
In Literature and Media:
- Book: Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” - Pip’s journey is a continual process of discerning genuine friends from fair-weather ones.
- Movie: “The Shawshank Redemption” - Andy Dufresne must find true allies in the treacherous world of prison.
- Song: Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’” - Encouraging listeners to embrace change and recognize true value in society.
Humorous Quotes:
- “I tried separating the sheep from the goats, but all of the sheep keep running back to me. Guess I’m a ‘baah’-d person magnet.”
- “If only they bleated louder, separating sheep from goats in meetings would be so much easier.”
Proverbs and Sayings:
- “Judge not the flock by the wool alone.”
- “Only time will shepherd the truth.”
Inspirational Thought: “Separating the sheep from the goats is not just about judgment but about discerning where true values lie and understanding the intricacies of human character.”
Concluding Remark: May you always have the wisdom to know the difference between sheep and goats, and the grace to handle what you discover.
Fairwell and may discernment guide your every venture!
-Ruth Lessly-Wisdom
