“If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention”
— George R.R. Martin
Simplified Meaning:
This saying suggests that if you expect things to turn out well in a complicated or troublesome situation, you are probably not noticing all the warning signs around you. Imagine watching a movie where everything is going wrong for the characters, like they keep getting into more and more trouble. If you believe they'll suddenly have everything work out easily, you're not seeing the whole picture. In real life, if someone is ignoring big problems in their relationships or finances and thinking everything will magically be fine, they might be setting themselves up for disappointment. Paying attention means recognizing these issues and taking action to solve them instead of assuming a perfect outcome. It's important to be realistic and understand that not all stories end happily, especially when signs point otherwise.