“The beautiful and good person neither fights with anyone nor, as much as they are able, permits others to fight … this is the meaning of getting an education — learning what is your own affair and what is not. If a person carries themselves so, where is there any room for fighting?”
- Epictetus, Discourses, 4.5.1; 7b-8a
June 24, 2021 7:00 AM
While mulling over this message, thoughts of contentious arguments began filling the mind. Does every political conversation require a counterpoint? What is the harm in just listening and not agreeing? What is lost when we say nothing, but rather listen?
Conclusion
A contentious conversation does not need a winner. We can listen calmly, patiently, and resist any temptations to fire back. There is no need to win every little battle. Pick your battles wisely.