how can i be simon?

today i was thinking about toothbrushes sitting next to toilets.
and how often we try to clean ourselves with something that may actually make us more dirty.
of course, that's not a general rule.. because the toothbrush will still remove plaque and food particles. but will it add anything less desirable?

i know there's a metaphor in here somewhere, i just have yet to find the right thing to apply it to...