Meaning

Posted by Nita on March 07, 2002

In Reply to: Meaning posted by psi on March 06, 2002

: : what is the meaning of phrase "You are only as good as you dare to be bad"
: : could you illustrate that few examples
: : thank you

: I've not come across that one, but it reminds me of a rather old-fashioned expression "she's no better than she ought to be", which has always made my head spin trying to understand.

: psi

PSI - That was a popular line around the time of a turn of the century in broadway productions like "Heaven Will Protect The Working Girl," "She Is More To Be Pitied Than Censured," and "A Bird In A Gilded Cage." To say "She's no better than she ought to be" is similiar to the apple not falling too far from it's tree. That women who lead a virtuous life are indeed virtous an receive all the rewards of marriage, home and family. Those women who made other, less popular, choices, who took the easy way got exactly what the deserved, censure.

On the other hand, "You are only as good as you dare to be bad" is a new take on the old saying "Dare to be great." That often it is those who break with tradition and convention who secure for themselves greatness.

• Whoops nita 03/07/02