Really Dumb Iconic Quotes ... Know Any ?

In a recent thread here on ATS , I noticed someone quote Franklin Roosevelt , ' ... the only thing we have to fear , is fear itself .'
This implies that , for example :
My uncle should not have feared dying a terrible death aboard a sinking submarine .
My father should not have feared the flak-barrages and Nazi fighter planes over Germany . Nor should he have feared having his knee-cap blown off on his last mission...
If you had insisted on displaying a star of david on your dog tags , should you not fear winding up in a gas chamber ?
And so on ad nauseum...I'm sure you get the point .
Some quotes that ' stick ' in the history books are really meaningless , or even outright stupid ( see above ) . How do these quotes persevere in popular culture , when not used jokingly ?

When I think of the Iraqi official threatening ' the mother of all battles ' - it seems different , because it was quoted mockingly from the beginning . Sort of like ' Dewey Wins! ' .
Any thoughts on why we remember this sort of crap ? Any examples ?
Thanks , Slake

a reply to: Slakecontagia

Why ask Why?

originally posted by: searcherfortruth
a reply to: Slakecontagia

Why ask Why?

How now , Brown Cow ?

"In the future i predict that the world will need 5 computers"

I cant remember who said it

a reply to: Slakecontagia

Mi casa es su casa.

Of course until it isn't. Then its war, right?!

Failure is not an option.

Well duh, failure is always an option.

originally posted by: ColaTesla
"In the future i predict that the world will need 5 computers"

I cant remember who said it

I think we may have already surpassed that # ... at least if you assume that the DOD has at least 3 we don't know about .

originally posted by: Bluntone22
Failure is not an option.

Well duh, failure is always an option.

The situation is intolerable ... and will not be tolerated ! Bill Clinton .

originally posted by: ColaTesla
"In the future i predict that the world will need 5 computers"

I cant remember who said it

Hillary left classified info on more computers than that....lol

originally posted by: TEOTWAWKIAIFF
a reply to: Slakecontagia

Mi casa es su casa.

Of course until it isn't. Then its war, right?!

Your house really isn't my house . Perfect example , thanks .
BTW : my house is NOT your house .

a reply to: Slakecontagia

I think all quotes are dumb in a way.

it's sort of putting mental authority on a famous figure from the past to give weight to what you are saying.

For that very reason quotes are used as mental shortcuts with perceived authority of truth.

"If you get on that horse you got to ride it." George Bush saying we started the war in Iraq you can't just get out now..
But the thing is you don't have to ride a horse if you get on it, you can get off.. There are consequences to getting off that are these: ____ And I think it's best we stay unless you want to create a power vacuum... Something more concrete...

so it's just lazy non critical thought that uses "magic" to seem important.

It was the other day and this one actually makes me angry.. I don't get angry a lot or easy but just say "It is what it is." seriously around me and I'm going to give you a death stare until you ask why.. No it is what it is if you let it be but it doesn't have to be what it is.. Gawd I remmeber an ex of mine we had no money and she's like "it is what it is" and I was thinking no girl you work 2 days a week right now.. It can be different lol.

I don't like "mental shortcuts"

Talk to me in your own words

a reply to: Slakecontagia

FDR's quote was directed towards ending the Great Depression, where people were too fearful to spend and money and invest once it had gone full swing, and without an active economy it could only fester as it was.

FDR's First Inaugural Address Declaring 'War' on the Great Depression

Fool me once shame on you.
Fool me twice...uh..
Won't be fooled again.

originally posted by: Slakecontagia
In a recent thread here on ATS , I noticed someone quote Franklin Roosevelt , ' ... the only thing we have to fear , is fear itself .' This implies that , for example : My uncle should not have feared dying a terrible death aboard a sinking submarine .
My father should not have feared the flak-barrage. And so on ad nauseum...I'm sure you get the point .

No, I don't get the point because you are being completely pedantic. You're taking it literally when that was never the intention. For example, when FDR made his famous quote do you think he was talking to your uncle on a submarine or to anyone else encountering a life-threatening situation? OF COURSE NOT. That's just stupid. FDR was speaking to the American people themselves and it wasn't about war at all. It was in 1932 at his inaugural address well before the war began and was all about the Great Depression. 25% of Americans were out of work and the situation looked pretty dismal. The economy had virtually stopped and people were scared not of dying, but about their future and whether the entire country would survive at all. This is clear in context, which you completely lack:

This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.

Source

Context is everything. The quote isn't really "dumb" at all. We normally only remember the pull quote. This is true for any of the "iconic quotations" you are trying so hard to criticize, but your criticism is superficial and lacks any understanding. Try researching a bit beyond the surface before you go making foolish claims. What is really dumb is your understanding here.

originally posted by: IgnoranceIsntBlisss
a reply to: Slakecontagia

FDR's quote was directed towards ending the Great Depression, where people were too fearful to spend and money and invest once it had gone full swing, and without an active economy it could only fester as it was.

FDR's First Inaugural Address Declaring 'War' on the Great Depression

Wow , got me there , if yer correct . So...fear fear ; not losing the last of your posessions , or your home , or your malnourished children...see what I'm sayin ?

a reply to: Slakecontagia

Hard to beat little Bush Trump might be in a position to give us a good laugh but it is going to be hard to beat Bush 2

a reply to: schuyler
Isn't it weird and unusual ( disturbing ) when a quote is taken out of context ? Got any others ?

Can't fix stupid, or as I prefer to say: Canned figs stew pud!

"Pull yourself up by your bootstraps."

This is impossible of course but people say it anyways.

No matter how far you travel,
nor the obstacles you overcome,
once you have arrived,
there you are.