Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromichi]

What does the captioned phrase mean?

Good prefrontal lobes prioritize incoming information, consider all options, and come up with an endless stream of plan Bs. Those fleeting urges to do or say something you shouldn't all end up here, where you weigh consequences and outcomes and, hopefully, choose to stay on the straight and narrow
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Hiromichi

[hitori2k6]

Hiromichi,

Hi. If you're asking about "stay on the straight and narrow", this
means to be a good person and not get in trouble or break the law.

If you're asking about the whole caption, its just talking about how your brain works and how it controls your behavior and impulse control.

I hope that helps.

Hitori2k6

[hiromichi]

hitori2k6, Thank you very much. I wonder why "narrow" is needed. Would you elaborate that a little mora?
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Hiromichi

[hitori2k6]

Hiromichi-san.

Hi. Yes, I can elaborate for you.

It comes from walking a straight and narrow path.

If you're walking on a straight and narrow path, it means
that you are moving without straying or going off-course
And if the path is narrow, that means you
don't have much area to move except forward and
backward.

Does this help?

[hiromichi]

hitori2k6-san, A very helpful reply. Thank you again.
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Hiromichi

[LucentShade]

To expand on this phrase:
"Straight and narrow" comes from Christianity, and the idea that to get to heaven, you have be virtuous and obey the laws = walking a straight and narrow path. This is in contrast to the road to hell, which is wide because many things can lead one to hell.

[hiromichi]

LucentShade-san, Thank you so much for your additional explanation based on the cultural background. We Japanese Buddhists lack knowledge in Christianity related matters. In this case I can understand the logic since it is universal.
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Hiromichi

[CP]

The actual expression is "strait and narrow," which is redundant, since "strait" means "narrow." But it comes from the Bible, Matthew 7:14: "strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life."

The poem "Invictus" calls up this passage with its ending:

"It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll. I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul."

Yours straitly, CP

[hiromichi]

CP-sensei. Thank you very much for your valuable follow-up.
Hiromichi, trying to enter the narrow gate.
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Hiromichi