Pulling the wool over one’s eyes.
This old phrase implies deceit. Duplicity.
When I hear it, I always picture a sheep perched on someone’s head, fluffing its fluffiness down across their eyes.
But that isn’t it, at all.
Its origins go way back to the times when everyone wore those horrible white wigs. With the curly-Qs on the ends. But the fact is, if you didn’t wear a wig, you were not accepted in polite society. It all started with a syphilis epidemic in the late 16th century. Massive patchy baldness. So the wigs covered up the telltale sign. Personally, I am glad those particular standards of wig-wearing have passed. But donning those powdery white locks had its pitfalls. Those despicable drawbacks.
In the way of robbery. Thieving was big back in those days too. And those white wigs gave thieves an opportunity to distract an unsuspecting victim. The criminal would approach the wig-wearer, and pull that wig — or wool — right down over their eyes. They would then proceed to steal that person’s wallet. Just like that. Or so the historical story goes.
These day, there seems to be quite a bit of pulling the wool over the proverbial eyes. Our world is filled with deceit. The most apparent is on the political scene. Certain individuals in power feel the need to lie. To deceive. To distract. They seem to enjoy pulling those wigs, right over our eyes. Often times, stealing much more than our wallets. And then some.
We can’t stop them from lying. From the hoodwinking. The hoaxing. They will, most likely, continue to lie at every turn.
However, we can stop them from staying in power. We simply need to be aware. To be vigilant. To protest. To vote against them. And end their control.
And once again, it all comes full circle.
Wigs.
Comb-overs.
Hairy situation.
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“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”
― Mark Twain
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“I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche
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“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.”
― George Washington
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