[js1138]

That happens to be one of the Hebrew meanings of wise.

That's the very definition of clintonian: finding an obscure definition of a word that makes your statement true, even though no one would ever suspect that definition in its original context.

There's a word for this, but my vocabulary fails me this morning. It means deliberately using a word in a way that is literally true, but deceitful in its effect on the listener.

[VRWC_minion]

That's the very definition of clintonian: finding an obscure definition of a word that makes your statement true, even though no one would ever suspect that definition in its original context.

As a metaphor, snakes are wise and were apparently recognized as such by the Hebrews who used one of the meanings of wise as being successful. If there was no literal connection then the metaphor would have fallen on deaf ears. The metaphor only works in this case if the literal is somehow true to the listener. Or do you think the Hebrew people were being taught by Jesus that snakes had some mystical power of wisdom ?

[PatrickHenry]

That's the very definition of clintonian: finding an obscure definition of a word that makes your statement true, even though no one would ever suspect that definition in its original context. There's a word for this, but my vocabulary fails me this morning. It means deliberately using a word in a way that is literally true, but deceitful in its effect on the listener.

The fallacy of ambiguity.