A database search will be problematic, it's a bit like the elephant eye shape: you see it a fair bit in pro games and beginner games, pros make it when they know playing on the vital point doesn't end well for their opponent, beginners don't notice they've made it.

There are a lot of good plays in the comments of pro games, precisely because the opponent avoided them.

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The Adkins Principle:
At some point, doesn't thinking have to go on?
— Winona Adkins

Visualize whirled peas.

Everything with love. Stay safe.

You are probably right, although I can think of quite a few standard (and non-standard) patters in which this proverb does not apply.
For example:

Click Here To Show Diagram Code

[go]$$Bc
$$ --------------------------------------
$$ |. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .|
$$ |. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .|
$$ |. . 4 5 . 2 . 3 . . . . . . . . . . .|
$$ |. . 6 1 . . . . . , . . . . . , . . .|
$$ |. . a 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .|
$$ |. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .|
$$ |. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .|
$$ |. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .|
$$ |. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .|
$$[/go]

Where 'a' instead of 7 is not advisable.
So, I think that you need at least look a little before applying any proverb. Even the one that says 'without looking.'

_________________
- Bantari
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WARNING: This post might contain Opinions!!

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