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Joined: Apr 2008
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stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Apr 2008
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I read google quots to try make my English better. Today i read one very confusing:
The road to hell is paved with adverbs. Stephen King
What does this mean?
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Joined: Apr 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
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Stephen King is an outrageously successful writer, who has some debatable advice to give about writing: link. but as advice goes, this one about adverbs isn't too bad, as long as you don't take it as a rule. it simply says, avoid overuse of adverbs. I'm always tempted to make a Tom Swifty out of it: "The road to hell is paved with adverbs," Tom preached hotly.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
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Samuel Johnson Said "Hell is paved with good intentions." This got changed in the popular memory to "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." There have been various plays on this popular misquote: adverbs, truffles, ethics resolutions, and happy plans, just to mention those found on the first page of Google hits on "the road to hell is paved" -intentions.
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Joined: Feb 2008
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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876 |
Interesting, Faldage. Is there a difference in meaning? One would think so, as the misquote is a way of saying that people who do not follow through with intended good deeds in life are headed for hell, or more simply, "Thanks for nothing...". What hell being paved with good intentions means I'm not quite sure. I suppose the citizens of hell must have done the paving, therefore indicating the quality of the citizenry, and at the same time, the seriousness of the sin (good intentions without deeds). I think I like the road better, because at least you can take a detour and avoid hell before it's too late! :0)
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Joined: Apr 2008
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stranger
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OP
stranger
Joined: Apr 2008
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Thanks to all peoples for your answers.
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Joined: Mar 2000
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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2000
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What hell being paved with good intentions means I'm not quite sure.
The way I see it: good intentions are so plentiful (and therefore cheap) among the inhabitants of hell, that the floor is covered of them. i.e. good intentions on their own will not save anybody.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Further more; many good intentions when held on to and when executed may have contrary effects.
Harm is often done with the best of intentions while it also is done on evil purpose.
The floor is covered with the mix of them.
Therefore it is safer to have no intentions at all.
Only try to be as good as one can.
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Joined: Feb 2008
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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Feb 2008
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Therefore it is safer to have no intentions at all.
Only try to be as good as one can. Is that intentionally or only accidentally ironic? Isn't that the ultimate "good intention"?
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2006
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Neither. Just plain serious. No intention at all.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
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Therefore it is safer to have no intentions at all.
Only try to be as good as one can. Is that intentionally or only accidentally ironic? Isn't that the ultimate "good intention"? I got just one question: Huh?
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