At a certain point, quotes (like any other part of language) get a new meaning, sometimes the opposite of what they originally stood for. Like any popular saying, whatever they were in reference to is forgotten and they stand and are interpreted on their own.

It doesn’t matter what the quote used to invoke if no one using it is thinking of the invocation.

A nice attribute of discussion is the opportunity to see references and quotes through the eyes of other people, perhaps especially if the interpretation is novel.