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APAD: Better to trip with the feet than with the tongue

最西边的岛上 2024-11-20 08:36:37 ( reads)
Better to trip with the feet than with the tongue” is a quote by Zeno (334 - 262 BC).
 
Meaning: 
it's easier to recover from a physical fall than to take back something you've said. The quote suggests that it's difficult to control what we say and how we say it, and that we should be accountable for our words.
 
Here are some tips for being more mindful of what you say:

   - Slow down: Before you respond to someone, count to three to give yourself time to think about what you want to say.
   - Consider the impact: Think about whether what you're going to say is valuable to the conversation, or if it might be misunderstood.
   - Be aware of reflexes: Try not to respond to what you hear reflexively.

- Source: Google AI
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I've decided to continue on the trend of learning stoicism and self improvement, and found above quote very useful (Note Zeno isn't quite as popular as Marcus Aurelius or Seneca, but he was the founder of the stoic school of philosophy in Athens around 300 BC).

I went through a silly period in my teens when peer relationship was so important to all.  Guess due to the very first book I read in life and my inborn personality,  I always believed telling truth should be a given, but never thought it could hurt someone unnecessarily.  Until one day, a classmate pulled me aside and said: "you don't need to lie, but you can be quiet and don't say anything".  That was when the penny dropped for me.

But as an imperfect person, I still need to remind myself of this time by time.  So learning is really a life long journey.  

Wish you all a good Wednesday my friends!
 

跟帖(13)

天边一片白云

2024-11-20 09:26:44

Good tips and example. I learned to pause before click send.

最西边的岛上

2024-11-20 09:38:03

A wise 白云,三读而发:-)I do it 2 4mails. but am 2 fast w/ speaking

7grizzly

2024-11-20 09:33:32

and risk a double-hip replacement in my old age? No way!

最西边的岛上

2024-11-20 09:40:42

Hahahaha, 3 older neighbours did 1-hip recently,

最西边的岛上

2024-11-20 09:42:21

Feel sorry 4them, &don’t ever want to be in their shoes

7grizzly

2024-11-20 09:45:39

See that's what I'm talking about. I'll pick words over

7grizzly

2024-11-20 09:45:57

sticks & stones any day :-)

最西边的岛上

2024-11-20 09:54:16

So U’ll have solid standing w/ good tongue:-)) Good 4 U!!

最西边的岛上

2024-11-20 09:57:06

Also 1needs2 speakOutST, as”Silence gives consent -移花接木”

移花接木

2024-11-20 10:28:32

recover from tongue trip is easy for someone shameless

最西边的岛上

2024-11-20 10:36:48

So their tongues/brains r built differently than us ;-))

7grizzly

2024-11-20 10:54:09

while the shameful bounce back quickly from feet trips

最西边的岛上

2024-11-20 11:06:08

So it’s a Win-Win for us all after all;-) CheersBrothers&Sis