Life is not a dress rehearsal.” Rose Tremain

It’s easy saying what things are not. Life is not a bed of roses, God is not an old man sitting in a cloud, winning isn’t everything. Some negations, however, are more informative than others. Thinking about why an egg is not an elephant won’t get you very far, whereas realizing life is not a dress rehearsal might. It’s a reminder that this life is a one-shot deal, and if you mess it up, there’s no second try.”

In Should You Judge This Book by Its Cover philosopher Julian Baggini examines the meanings behind a host of everyday expressions. Is it really always better to practice what you preach? To do as the Romans do? To be safe, not sorry?

In his quest for clarity in everyday language, Baggini leaves no saying behind as he considers such expressions as You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink” and If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Far from a reference book, this entertaining collection is full of short, stimulating capsules of defiantly clear thinking that are meant to fuel thought and conversation.