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.
on

12 comments:

  1. MikeD8:37 AM

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

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  2. Gringo10:15 AM

    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.")

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  3. MikeD10:20 AM

    I prefer the Russian version:

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

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  4. E Hines10:57 AM

    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

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  5. Grim11:00 AM

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

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  6. Mark11:43 AM

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

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  7. BillT1:48 PM

    My hovercraft is full of eels.

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  8. Grim2:51 PM

    John has a long moustache.

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  9. Anonymous8:40 PM

    "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

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  10. Tom9:24 AM

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

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  11. Grim9:22 PM

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

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  12. Mark2:43 PM

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

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