"If life gives you lemons, make lemonade", which philosophy is this?

General Questions
#1

Okay, I’m really looking for two things here.

  1. The origin of the phrase,

“If Life gives you lemons, make lemonade (/lemon juice)”

And the earliest known variants of this type of phrase (“make a positive with a negative”). For example, possibly in China there was some sort of phrase “If the orange tree does not sour – then why should we care?” Okay so I’m reaching a little, but you get the idea.

  1. What is the philosophy behind this thought-structure (or idea) called? I mean the idea of turning a negative into a positive?

I think that’s the key aspect of this type of phrase. “Lemons” are meant to signify something negative, yet you produce something with that negative characteristic; which is positive.

So what is this philosophy called and who were the first proponents of it (both in a historical sense e.g. the Chinese and in an Academic sense e.g. Neitze sp.???). ?

#2

It is not really a philosophy as such, rather a glib little phrase which could be claimed by all kinds of schools of thought. As a guess, it reminds me most of stoicism, that the wise man is emotionally immune to misfortune.

#3

Such a platitude also reminds me of the “luaghing philosopher”, Democritus (yes, the atom guy).

#4

Of course, you could go with an alternative motto. Mine happens to be “If life gives you lemons, plant a lemon grove so you can profit from the misery of others.”

It works for me.

Robin

#5

In my experience, folks spouting these sorts of platitudes really mean, "If life gives you lemons, JUST SHUT UP AND EAT YOUR GODDAMN LEMONS!!. " How nice for those lemonade makers that in addition to lemons, life gave them sugar, fresh water and a clean glass in which to mix it. Not all lemon eaters are so lucky.

#6

What do you do if Life Gives You Prunes?

#7

Have regular bowel movements?

#8

You regularly make prune juice.

#9

My gf always says, “optimism is the first step toward disappointment”.

Doesn’t really help here, huh. And I was so optimistic…

#10

I’d probably shut up and eat my goddamn prunes, lol. :stuck_out_tongue:

#11

I like to say, ‘Oh, well. Adopt, adapt, and improve!’ :wink:

#12

What? No Napkins?! :d

#13

Sure it is. What’s the matter, can’t you take a little constructive citricism?

#14

Gaston: Well, I know it is not a great philosophy but…
[pauses, looks offended]
Gaston: Well, fuck you. I can live my life in my own way if I want to.
[begins to walk away in disgust]
Gaston: Fuck off. Don’t come following me.

I don’t agree that it fits stoicicm so well as it isn’t just accepting or ignoring adversity but turning it into an advantage.

#15

No, no, that’s the point of the platitude! You have to be the sugar, otherwise the lemons are just lemons.

#16

Or as Henry Rollins put it, “If life gives you lemons, say ‘Oh yeah, I like lemons, what else you got?’”

#17

I always understood it as meaning rather : “If live gives you lemons, then make some lemonade, sell it and make a profit of it”. IOW find a way to turn your misfortune in something advantageous. Somewhat more positive than your interpretation, though not much more satisfying an answer.

#18

Now, isn’t that precious! My lemons are suddenly too sweet to eat now!

#19
#20

Epicureanism :wink: