ARGUMENTS HAVE the power to destroy. You've seen it countless times in the past: Feelings get hurt. Relationships end. Friendships are ruined. Sometimes physical altercations (and even death) can occur.All because of a disagreement.
After an especially heated argument, we are forced to sift through the fallout and survey the changed landscape of the said relationship.....yet we are fated to step into the middle of another argument at some point in the future.
Why? Especially when we know what the result will most likely be? Do we honestly expect our future adversaries to wave the white flag and say, "You were right, I was wrong," and then make peace?
Man must understand that unless both parties handle themselves with dignity and class, and one side is honest enough to admit defeat in the end, then an argument will always conclude on a sour note and could even degenerate into something worse.
The solution? Walk away from impending arguments because when a person attempts to initiate a verbal battle, it says more about him than anyone else. (Such a person will never admit he was wrong anyway) In fact, verbal disputes should be handled no differently than fistfights.
A gentleman never willingly accepts an invitation to participate in a brawl—something that must be remembered when one anticipates a war of words.
So the next time you feel tempted to enter an argument and push your chips all-in, simply fold your hand and walk away from the table instead...
Great advice, Socrates!
In my opinion (which everyone has, and is the main reason why arguments start), I liken an argument to the folly of war - once hostilities come to an end there are no winners.
Before we think of entering into a war of words we must first look within ourselves and honestly say,
"I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance."
This indeed should stop any thought about arguing with another in its tracks.
Thank you, my dear Socrates for providing that quote - we can all learn a lesson from you about self-knowledge and being aware of our own ignorance.
You're welcome, my friend, and thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I always greatly appreciate your input. (Also, that was a wonderful analogy: "The folly of war")
Wise thoughts. I would like to share the following from Saadi's 'Gulistan' (13th century):
"A learned man who has got into an argument with the ignorant can have no hopes of supporting his own dignity; and if an ignoramus by his loquacity gets the upper hand it should not surprise us, for he is a stone and can bruise a gem. No wonder if his spirit flag; the nightingale is cooped up in the same cage with the crow.---If the man of sense is coarsely treated by the vulgar, let it not excite our wrath and indignation; if a piece of worthless stone can bruise a cup of gold, its worth is
not increased, nor that of the gold diminished."
Meam Wye,
Thank you for the comment, my friend, and thank you for sharing that excellent quote.