* First things first: You should focus on the most important things first, the things that truly matter.
* Second never: The less important things, the "second" priorities, are likely to never get done.
Here's how the phrase is meant to be understood:
* Humor: It's a humorous way of acknowledging that we often have a long list of tasks, but we might not always get to everything.
* Cynicism: It implies that some things are simply not as important, and we shouldn't waste time on them.
* Procrastination: It can be seen as a playful justification for procrastination, as the "second" things are never going to happen anyway.
In a more serious context, the phrase emphasizes the importance of prioritizing:
* Focus on what matters: It's better to do a few things well than to try to do everything and end up accomplishing nothing.
* Be realistic: Recognize that you can't do everything, and that some tasks are simply less important than others.
So, while the phrase is lighthearted, it does contain a grain of truth about how we prioritize tasks and how much we actually manage to get done.