Fool, what are you talking about?

Reasoned & civil passion in discussion of a hot-button issue requires great virtue. Shouting & vitriol are not indicative of self-control.  Audrey Assad

Today's quote addresses the problem we have in our world today with differences of opinion.  We have lost our ability to be reasoned and civil in our debates.  We resort to shouting, derision, impatience, and a whole host of other bad behaviors.  Many who lose self-control have attempted to justify their word choices and behavior with things they believe indicate they have a "right" to be jerks.  Shouting, derision, impatience, and all the other bad behaviors are not indicative of self-control, strength, power, education, wisdom, being "right", etc.  All it usually ends up indicating is that the person behaving so poorly is a jerk.  Mature people can practice self-control, are open to seeing other viewpoints, can concede when their point might not be "right", and can make their points with reason and civility especially when the topic is a "hot-button" one.  If you don't think you can be mature in your discussions about issues that are controversial then don't speak at all.  Better to be silent than to be called a fool.