If Wishes Were Horses

My mother was always a great one for answering questions and complaints with contrived witticisms, often in poetry form. For example:

What's that for? -  Cat's fur t'make kitten britches. 

I can't! But, if you do it... -    If  "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas!

I wish (fill in the blank)... If wishes were horses, we'd all take a ride.

The first I still don't get, but there is  truth in the last two. And while pat answers can be pretty unsatisfying in the moment, well, now I'm thinking my momma is pretty smart. Funny how that works, isn't it?