Words of wisdom passed down in short phrases is a tradition that has been around as long as language itself. The problem with this sometimes, is that the meanings of different phrases get switched around, losing the original meaning. Often times, the phrases we use have the exact opposite meaning than we think it does. Here are 4 phrases that have been terribly misquoted.

Blood is thicker than water

Blood is thicker than water

How we use it

Blood is thicker than water is a phrase that we use to justify choosing family bonds over the bonds that we have made by choice.

“I know that your friends have been planning this day for weeks but it’s your cousin’s birthday. Blood is thicker than water.”

Blood is thicker than water?

What it actually means

The actual saying is “the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb”. The meaning of this saying is actually the opposite of the way we use it. The saying actually means that bonds that you’ve made by choice are more important than the people that you are bound to by the water of the womb. The saying reflects the fact that the bonds you choose for yourself can mean much more than the ones you don’t have much say in.

Money is the root of all evil

Money is the root of all evil

How we use it

We use this phrase to discourage people from loving money. We often say money is the root of all evil when people that are very wealthy get caught up in their money instead of the other great aspects of life. This is also used to represent how people who are very wealthy are too greedy, which causes wicked actions.

The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil

What it actually means

The original saying is another biblical one stemming from 1 Timothy 6:10. It says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” The real phrases warns believers(and people in general) not to be greedy, because the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. I stress that the verse says all kinds of evil because it is illogical to think that money is the root of all evil, especially when other roots of evil are present everywhere we look.

Curiosity killed the cat

Curiosity killed the cat

How we use it

We use the phrase curiosity killed the cat to discourage people from being overly curious, especially if they’re curious about other people’s business. This phrase is commonly used when people are gossiping. It is used to warn people of the dangers of unnecessary investigation. This is why many children hear this phrase, as little kids usually ask way too many questions.

What it actually means

The real saying is “Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.” Again, the meaning of this phrase is actually the exact opposite of what people believe it to mean. The actual phrase encourages people to be curious, especially when it comes to learning new skills, and ideas. Whereas the first half of the phrase warns of asking too many questions, the second half suggests that there is no such thing as too many questions.

Great minds think alike

Great minds think alike

How we use it

This expression is used when you find out that someone else is thinking the exact same thing that you were thinking. This expression is used to suggest that both of the people are very intelligent because they are thinking the same thing.

Great minds think alike, though fools seldom differ

What it actually means

The original saying is as follows “Great minds think alike, though fools seldom differ.” Unlike the other sayings, this phrase isn’t used to teach a lesson, rather it is a humorous expression. The second half of the expression, “fools seldom differ.” suggests that the people that came to the same conclusion aren’t so smart after all.