3 ms·
> Blood is thicker than water, people should be realistic. Somewhat off-tangent here, but this is a frequent misunderstanding of this particular quote. The ac
by evgen 6y ago
> Blood is thicker than water, people should be realistic.
Somewhat off-tangent here, but this is a frequent misunderstanding of this particular quote. The actual quote is: “the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” and it means the exact opposite of what we now use it for. The intended meaning is that relationships entered into as adults are much stronger and deeper than those we are forced into through accident of birth simply because they are intentional. While I hope my children will be there for me in old age, I know that I will be there for my wife and closest friends even though we are not bound by any particular genetic imperative.
- greggman3 6y agoThis fits my family to some degree. My dad was a little upset that his mom left so much to some friends over him. But, he lived 2000 miles away and while he made a point of calling to talk to her every day she still probably had a stronger relationship with the people that she hung out with than him at the end of it.
- bananaface 6y agoI think the reason the meaning shifted is that the original meaning is not particularly accurate. Although that said, I'm looking into it and it doesn't seem settled that that is the etymylogical root. That root also specifically refers to blood shed in battle. My guess is it was war propaganda.
- depr 6y agoI think the reason is the shorter version is easier to remember, and people love to attribute genuine wisdom to these kinds of statements. Because the shorter version is easier to remember it is near at hand and got used more.
- bananaface 6y agoI don't think people are that dumb tbh.
- ryder9 6y agothen you haven't been paying very much attention have you
- wolfhumble 6y ago> Somewhat off-tangent here, but this is a frequent misunderstanding of this particular quote. The actual quote is: “the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” and it means the exact opposite of what we now use it for. I hadn't heard of that expression before, so I looked a little at the corresponding Wikipedia page [0] and the sources that talks about this quote [1 and 2]. I also looked at Quora question about the quote [3]. From what I understand, there is no way one with any certainty can say that: "the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” => "blood is thicker than water". There doesn't seem to be a direct "the blood of the covenant . . ." quote either. My own thought: I think it is possible that the meaning of both quotes can be true at the same time: a) If you make a blood covenant with someone => Strong bond, and maybe stronger than with family members. b) If something serious happens in your life, family bonds tend to be stronger than that of a friend, at least if you don't have some type of covenant (in a broad sense) with that friend. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_is_thicker_than_water https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_is_thicker_than_water [1] https://archive.org/details/shaggydogsblacks00jack/page/94/mode/2up https://archive.org/details/shaggydogsblacks00jack/page/94/m... [2] http://www.bac2torah.com/covenant-Print.htm#SectionII http://www.bac2torah.com/covenant-Print.htm#SectionII [3] https://www.quora.com/Where-did-the-phrase-The-blood-of-the-covenant-is-thicker-than-the-water-of-the-womb-come-from https://www.quora.com/Where-did-the-phrase-The-blood-of-the-...
- virgil_disgr4ce 6y agoWouldn't "off-tangent" be closer to the original point than off of it? Heh
- SketchySeaBeast 6y agoThat appears to be a matter of discussion - the oldest current recordings don't have the conventant comparison and it seems to be a couple of scholars claiming that bit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_is_thicker_than_water https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_is_thicker_than_water