Context

This line is spoken by Jesus in Matthew 7:14.

This is a classic Jesus-ism from the Sermon on the Mount. Those things come atcha fast, don't they? It's right around the part where he's talking about pearls before swine and the Golden Rule. Basically, he's saying that it's tough to follow the "straight and narrow path" of life, a.k.a. always making good choices and doing good things in the world.

Where you've heard it

Being on the straight 'n' narrow means you're keeping out of trouble. It could also refer to a trendy pants style.

This is also such a common expression that you've probably heard it in tons of songs. Jiminy Cricket tells Pinocchio to "take the straight and narrow path" in "Give a Little Whistle." The Who sings about "getting in tune to the straight and narrow." Bob Marley and the Wailers have a song called "Straight and Narrow Way." There's nothing narrow about the number of lyrics that refer to this particular quote.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

If you're not careful, this one can sound a bit holier-than-thou (or straighter- and narrower-than-thou).