I don't think there's anything wrong with the mantra. But the "this" you refer to doesn't really illustrate a problem with it. Here's how these exchanges SHOU

I don't think there's anything wrong with the mantra. But the "this" you refer to doesn't really illustrate a problem with it. Here's how these exchanges SHOULD go ... Kid: Could I do extra credit to bring my grade up? Teacher: No, I'm sorry, the grade won't change. Kid: Okay. (thinks to himself, "Well, it was worth a shot") The unhealthy thing is not the venturing to ask. It's not accepting a reasonable answer when it is given: Kid: Could I do extra credit to bring my grade up? Teacher: No, I'm sorry, the grade won't change. Kid: How dare you. You'll be hearing from my parents. (or, more likely) Parent: Could my kid do extra credit to bring his grade up? Teacher: No, I'm sorry, the grade won't change. Parent: How dare you. I'm going over your head.