About this quote

We often build absurd mental guardrails around things we do not understand or cannot control. It is much easier to blame a physical trait like hair color for life's chaos than to admit that human behavior is inherently unpredictable. When you take yourself too seriously, you end up making silly rules to keep the world tidy. Humor breaks this illusion by putting our silly biases on full display. Next time you find yourself judging someone's potential for trouble based on a superficial trait, pause and laugh at your own foolishness.

When to use it

• When your cousin starts dating a notoriously feisty redhead, you nudge him at the family dinner and whisper, 'Watch your step with her; red hair, sir, in my opinion, is dangerous.'
• After a new, hyper-energetic coworker with bright red hair rearranges the entire office layout in one morning, you joke with your cubicle neighbor, 'We need to keep an eye on him. Red hair, sir, in my opinion, is dangerous.'
• While visiting an animal shelter, your friend hesitates to adopt a ginger cat that is currently swatting at a toy. You laugh and tell them, 'I don't know if you can handle that one. Red hair, sir, in my opinion, is dangerous.'