This is right. Or that is right? [duplicate]

Solution 1:

I agree with what your dictionary tells you. As demonstrative pronouns, this and that allude to objects according to proximity: this thing close to me, that thing over by you. So think of this and that when they refer to ideas as metaphors for physical things: the closer idea gets a this and the farther idea gets a that.

Sam: This is what they tell me: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Dave: Whoever said that, didn't have many enemies.

Sam: That's probably true. What if I said this then: God bless and keep my enemies ... far away from me!

Dave: That sounds safer, and it sounds familiar.

Sam: I stole this from Fiddler on the Roof.