where does this saying come from, can anyone tell me more about it, mabye from your own personal experience or just what you think ab. it
thanks
2006-09-24 06:32:26 · 16 answers · asked by Fuzzy_lop 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
It's "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it".
It means there may be consequences to what you want that you are currently unaware of.
Example: Someone who wishes to be famous and then finds they are so famous they can't leave the house in peace.
2006-09-24 06:35:40 · answer #1 · answered by shoedogg 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
wishing traditions have a rich history and have a presence in every culture I've studied. At first, wishes were looked at like a kind of magick, or an invocation to a Deity. So all the little words and movements and rules regarding the wish were important (like not telling or it won't come true).
the concept of being careful what you wish for ties into mythology and folklore equally. In many areas it was considered tempting the gods to ask for too much (i.e. get greedy). So, when a hero of a story asked for more than was reasonable, the wish was granted but with some sort of hook. For example, wishing to be rich .... modernly the hook might be that you get hit by a car, perminantly damaged and get rich from the settlement, but your body never recovers.
Thus the caution is all about wants and needs, and being able to discern when you're grabbing too many cookies from the jar (thereby getting your hand stuck!)
2006-09-24 13:34:19 · answer #2 · answered by Loresinger99 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Be careful what you wish for" has been passed down through the
years as a huge warning to those of us who seem to wish our way through life. As an example....My son always wanted a puppy. So one year, we got him one. At first he thought his wish was granted and life was grand, but in time, the thrill of the new puppy was gone and this dog became the terrors of all terrors. He chewed up just about everything my son owned. The moral of the story...he got what he wished for....the irony....he also got a whole new set of problems that he wouldn't have had if he didn't get the puppy.
It's an age old tale that holds alot of truth to it....pass it on!
2006-09-24 13:53:32 · answer #3 · answered by Hollynfaith 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will give you a perfect example from experience. Long ago i met this guy and oh how I thought he was the one. I use to pray and ask God for his attention and love. well I got him and we were together for many years but towards the end of our relationship I was running desperately away from him for he had gotten abusive and started using drugs. now I never ask for anything in prayer without first saying God if it be your will could I have this or that happen. nothing that is in Gods will ,will turn out wrong, so I say be careful what you wish for because you just may get it.
2006-09-24 13:40:52 · answer #4 · answered by punkin 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It comes from everyone's life! Watch what you wish for because it may not be what you think it will be.
I wished that I could marry this one man. I had his daughter. We got married, had a son. Then he continued with his life life we never married - he cheated several times and now we are divorced and I am a single Mom. This isn't what I wanted - to be without the father of my children. So be careful - I got what I wished but it wasn't what I thought it would be. Help any?
2006-09-24 13:37:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anna F 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well, on a hot day for example, you might say "oh, i do wish i had some water" and then you fall into a conveniently-placed puddle and die. there are many historical examples of this aswell, the most famous being Adolf Hitler: "Oh, how i wish that they would
all listen to ME" it didnt help that he was a raving lunatic either. so yes, you would be right in thinking that there is indeed an interstellar force at work on our humble world, and as for the origin of this phrase: the last words of the Emo king...
2006-09-24 13:38:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would be like you hating a person and wishing bad on them, then maybe months, weeks and years later, you hear about them dying, for whatever reason. Then you realize, after they are dead, you didn't mean to say what you said, but you got your wish anyway. So be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.
2006-09-24 13:37:41 · answer #7 · answered by A_WWE_FAN_4LYFE 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If like to read a great piece of literature called "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs really explains be careful what you wish for.
http://gaslight.mtroyal.ab.ca/mnkyspaw.htm
2006-09-24 13:43:18 · answer #8 · answered by GKole 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means that people think they want something, but they don't realize the reality of what comes with that wish. It's sort of like saying "it's what you THINK you want- until you get it."
My experience- sometimes things you wish for were really good- and sometimes terrible!
2006-09-24 13:36:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yea u should be careful because if u ever wish someone was gone or some thing like that they could be gone or die the next day and u realize that u really miss them!
Hope this answers ur question!
2006-09-24 13:37:20 · answer #10 · answered by Kristen L 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋