Give a man a fish....

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"If you give a man a fish, then you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, then you feed him for a lifetime." People have been using this statement (and many variations) to justify their thoughts on social programs in the U.S. and it has become more than obvious that people don't understand a lot. Now in every country of the world, you have system cheaters. I mean there is always some person who wants to cheat the system... ALWAYS. However, it is amazing how many people will quote that and only stay within it's narrow mindset. When will people start thinking outside of the tiny box they put their thoughts in? Every time I see this statement, my thoughts are: What if giving that fish allows the person a foundation to start to work up in life? What if you taught a man to fish, but unlike some people the man has barely been able to catch one? You can teach a man to fish as much as you want, but people still fall on hard times. If they fish aren't biting then they aren't biting. This man can work his behind off and still not make enough to cover bills, healthcare, put food on the table, and much more. When this man needs help and you have already taught him how to fish, most would turn their back on him and say "Well he was taught and I didn't tell the fish not to bite." or in more commonplace terms. "I didn't tell his company to get rid of his department, lower hours, or ship his job overseas, etc." Has this saying become nothing more than a selfish person's way of being selfish by using a saying that in these times means little more than to teach a man to work and hopefully he will be able to find a job? In my opinion, you should not keep giving fish to those that are able but refuse to learn. However, giving fish to those that are unable and those that have learned and not been able to catch should not be something you are against because there are some cheaters in the system.