Article in Stretton Focus, July 2016
Some of you reading this will recognise my title as the name of a TV programme very popular between 1967 and 1971. It was a comedy sitcom where two tailors, one a Jew and one a Roman Catholic, were working at their trade, and trying to understand each other’s religious viewpoint – but failing humorously!
The title could be regarded as a modern ‘proverb-in-reverse’. Proverbs always carry a message. They are often pointing out the value of moral behaviour, and urging us to think before we act. They have wisdom and insight which, if observed, will keep us safe from the dangers of excess, and from other forms of thoughtless living.
As this is a proverb-in-reverse, we need to do the opposite of what it says – that is, we should feel the quality and never mind the width. But as it stands, and taken literally, it represents the wisdom of the world, which is embraced especially by banks and supermarkets. For them, the only thing that matters is making a profit (feel the width); and ensuring a mega-bonus for those at the top (never mind the quality of life for those at the bottom).
There can be a religious aspect to the proverb-in-reverse. Never mind questioning your beliefs, just conform to what’s expected of you. Adherents of religion are often discouraged from asking important and relevant questions, like “who or what is God?”. They are taught and expected to just perform their acts of worship without raising any questions about the nature of worship itself; or about the God who is being worshipped. Just keep saying you believe all the right things (creeds and doctrines), and you too will receive your ‘bonus’ in heaven … feel the width.
In the secular world where money rules, and in the religious world where God rules, we need to start feeling for the underlying quality of our beliefs and practices: and not be tempted and led astray by the width of either money or religion.
Donald Horsfield
