* 17 Particular Conversational Matters (p.7 of 9)
17.40�� When you suggest that a person should not avoid work
A little work never hurt anyone.�� Listen�� A �A little piece of work never injured anybody, so do this job.��� <�Son, take a shovel and clear the driveway from the snow. A little work never hurt anyone.�>
God helps those who help themselves.�� Listen�� A �Rely on yourself, and God will help you.��� <�My daughter, you can�t spend years waiting for a perfect husband to find you. God helps those who help themselves.�>
17.41�� When you suggest that a big job should be done collectively
Many hands make light work.�� Listen�� A �Many workers make work lighter.��� <�Hey, guys, why don�t you help me unload the truck? Many hands make light work.�>
17.42 ��When you ask a person to be careful with the thing you have lent to them
I'm trusting you to take good care of it.�� Listen�� <�My turtle likes fresh cabbage and celery. I�m trusting you to take good care of it.�>
Take good care of it.�� Listen�� <�Eat as much fruit from my little garden as you can. Don�t forget to water it regularly. Take good care of it.�>
Take care of it.�� Listen�� <�I�m leaving now. I hope you will enjoy your stay in my house. Take care of it. I�ll be back in a month.�>
Bring it back in one piece.�� Listen�� <�You can take my bicycle. Bring it back in one piece.�>
I want it back in one piece.�� Listen�� <�Here�s my car. I want it back in one piece.�>
Keep an eye on it.�� Listen�� <�You can drive my motor scooter to the store. Keep an eye on it, though.�>
17.43�� When a person is selfish or callous
Do you have no thought for anyone but yourself?�� Listen�� <�I have interests and aspirations of my own. Do you have no thought for anyone but yourself?�>
You're heartless.�� Listen�� <�I asked you for a little money, and you turned me down. You�re heartless.�>
You've got no heart.�� Listen�� <�The negligent way you treat people amazes me. You�ve got no heart. Don�t be surprised when people pay you back in your own coin.�>
You've got a heart of stone.�� Listen�� <�I don�t want to talk with you anymore. You�ve got a heart of stone.�>
You're thick-skinned.�� Listen�� <�I asked you for a little help. I never received it. You�re thick-skinned.�>
You're cold-blooded.�� Listen�� <�I begged you when I needed your help. I got no response. You�re cold-blooded.�>
You're as cold as ice.�� Listen�� <�I waited for you when I needed you most. You never showed up. You�re cold as ice.�>
You're a cold fish.�� Listen�� <�You don�t love anybody. You�re a cold fish.�>
Do you have no conscience?�� Listen�� <�You can�t steal from your relatives. Do you have no conscience?�>
Don�t you have any scruples?�� Listen�� <�You are flirting with your husband�s brother! Don�t you have any scruples?�>
17.44�� When a person is rigid in character
He's as stubborn as a bull.�� Listen�� <�He is a solitary man living according to his own rules. He is stubborn as a bull.�>
He's set in his ways.�� Listen�� <�In business my boss follows certain principles. He is set in his ways.�>
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.�� Listen�� <�She is too old to use a cell phone. You can�t teach an old dog new tricks.�>
A leopard can't change his spots.�� Listen�� <�He has been a jealous husband for all of his life. His wife is an elderly lady now, but he is still suspicious of other men. A leopard can�t change his spots.�>
Old habits die hard.�� Listen�� <�The doctor told him to quit smoking, but he sometimes enjoys an occasional cigar. Obviously, old habits die hard.�>
17.45�� When you don't want a person to hurt somebody
Think before you speak.�� Listen�� <�Your sister is very vulnerable, and you can be rude sometimes. Think before you speak.�>
Think before you act.�� Listen�� <�In the summer camp you will live side by side with other children. Try to get along with them. Think before you act.�>
17.46�� When you explain your actions
Put yourself in my shoes.�� Listen�� <�I made the only right decision in that situation. Put yourself in my shoes. You would have done the same.�>
I didn�t have another choice.�� Listen�� <�I was forced to vote against your proposal. I didn�t have another choice.�>
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