hate the brand, not the branded

Aphorism: 'Hate the player, not the game'
1. Dropped by de homies, when an acquaintance, (whos sins too closely match their own) screws up. 1.a. Often used to deflect responsibility for one's actions
hate the brand, not the branded
Ah yes - The Brand. It's long overdue a gaphorism of its own. Especially since aphorisms are branded wisdom. Aphorisms have got to rate up there with idiom as a way of defining demographics. By 'owning' a turn of phrase, you communally agree to it's past and present meanings.

hate the brand, not the branded

One man's Pete is another man's Boyzone

Aphorism: One man's meat is another man's poison.
This is just a bit of fun and it's one of my dad's favorites. It's a reference to 2 infamous, but disparate musical icons of our time: Pete Doherty and that boy band. Great for throwing into a dinner discussion about modern music. :)
Oh, and I couldn't find a suitable replacement for 'man' that sounded right, any suggestions?

One fan's meat is another fan's poison. - Thanks Matt

In the beginning was the sword

Christianity: In the beginning was the Word.
I've never been a big fan or organised religion. It is without doubt the best place to find concepts reduced to phrases which become Truth. The phrase becomes cannon and is then scrutinised microscopically to determine its original meaning. A friend of mine calls the practice "Epistemological safety netting".

Historically, it's hard to deny that: "In the beginning was the sword."

Of course, if we go back a little further, we might have: "In the beginning was the turd."

god helps those who help themselves

Aphorism: god helps those who help themselves

One of a rare group of gaphorisms that retain their exact wording.

Self-Help / Dr Phil ---- Al Capone / Fedentia

Smile, the glass is empty.

Idiom: "Is the glass half full or half empty?"
Purveyors of this polarity assume that 'winners' will answer 'correctly' and 'losers' will nod appreciatively and agree that things aren't so bad after all.
Requiring the respondent to frame their answer in these terms assumes that avarice is the accepted norm, more is better.

Bi-polarity is the refuge of fascists.

"Smile, the glass is empty." is a zenification of this purile idiom. "Perhaps Grasshopper, once you've emptied the glass, enlightenment will follow."

Oh, and...
If it's whisky, the glass is obviously almost finished.

Guns don't kill people; people with guns kill people

Aphorism: "Guns don't kill people; people kill people."

This sounds like the NRA's public relations department writing poetry. "Guns are not bad, people are bad." (and we need guns to protect us from the bad people, obviously)
Why not:
"Atom bombs don't kill people, people kill people."