What is the Danger of Citing the Bible?

Almost everyone has one handy.
From today’s briefing:
MR. CARNEY: Well, I believe the phrase from the Bible* is, “The Lord helps those who help themselves.” And I think the point the President is making is that we should -- we have it within our capacity to do the things to help the American people. 
The White House adds in the official transcript:
* This common phrase does not appear in the Bible.

12 comments:

MikeD said...

To be fair, he did say what he "believed" the phrase was. Plus, to err is human (to really screw up requires a computer).

Gringo said...

From my Google to Wiki instant-scholar search, the phrase came from Aesop, and perhaps also ancient Greek playwrights.

As I see it the White House was simply being factual- or pedantic if you will.

The phrase in Spanish is: "A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando, " which literally translated is "Praying to God while hammering.")

MikeD said...

I prefer the Russian version:

"Pray to God, but keep rowing towards shore."

E Hines said...

It's a common misconception; its point remains valid whether it's really in the Bible or not.

Which simply emphasises the gross error that Obama made in today's briefing: ...we have it within our capacity to do the things to help the American people.

I.e., the American people shouldn't be helping themselves; my government should be doing for them.

Eric Hines

Grim said...

"Trust in God, but tie your camel" is a variation I've heard.

Mark said...

God is in his heaven and the Tsar is far away.

BillT said...

My hovercraft is full of eels.

Grim said...

John has a long moustache.

Anonymous said...

"Buen' abogado, mal vecino" - Good lawyer, bad neighbor.

Gringo: I've heard it as "Con la boca adorando y el mano dando."

Or another one of my New Mexican favorites, which translated says, "The devil knows what he knows because he is old, not because he is the devil."

LittleRed1

Tom said...

Miyamoto Musashi wrote something to the effect of, 'Honor the gods and buddhas, but do not rely on them.'

Grim said...

"God is good, but don't dance in the boat."

Mark said...

Bill T, your eels are an endangered species. You must abandon your hovercraft to them or face a fine and imprisonment.