Of course, everything isn't, and whoever comes up with this particuar little platitude doesn't mean that. And we all know that. And that's not the point, is it? So what is?

How about: "Everything which is possible can be done".

After all, if we can put a man on the moon ...

And I dare say that NASA could do so again if it wanted to. But I doubt it could do it next Tuesday. Or using parts bought only from Toys-R-Us.

This piece of twottery illustrates the principle that you can gain a lot of confidence and hide a lot of unwelcome details by coming up with phrases which are obviously true, in the general, even if they are not necessarily true in the particular.

A phrase like this is great for bringing everybody together in a meeting, as everyone nods in tacit agreement, over nothing, and make the person using it seem like the great diplomat.

It can also be used to fend away dissention as no one wants to be the spoilsport who points out:

"What, exactly, are you saying is possible, and under what circumstances?"

"Honestly! We were all getting along so well there for a minute

All the best

Richard

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