Shutting Up and Shutting Down

When I was in college, I realized that I have lost my faith in competitive debating. Which was, perhaps, why I decided to leave my team, just as fast as I got in, and avoided confrontational arguments ever since, whenever I can. I am drifting away from the arrogance brought by being right all the time.

I hated the fact that people will accept my arguments just because no one can refute them. I hated the tendency of people only wanting the truth that they want to hear. I hated the fact that some people will resort to debates not to broaden their perspective, but to find someone else to think FOR them. I have no respect for people who, instead of attacking the situation, attacks the technicality of how it was said, if not attacking the person himself. I condemn all forms of senseless blabbering just for the sake of being “correct.” I despise people who contradict everything just to show off how smart they are. I hated the way that debates are turned into sports, where the object is to win, defeating the purpose of why debating was formed in the first place.

So I will not argue about politicians and religion where people do not need evidence, or where people do not want evidence. I will not argue over things that I consider petty or will not improve my way of life regardless of who wins. Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute. I will just smile at them. I myself find it hard to persuade a man who does not disagree, but smiles.

Now, I only argue for one reason, and that is for the pursuit of the “truth.” I would hear people out before I speak. I will only speak if there is a need to, and not just to show off. I will not decorate my language. I will only say what is needed, in its barest form. 

I will only argue with a person who thinks, and thinks twice, before speaking. I will only give my opinion to someone who needs it. I will not waste my energy on an idiot.

If I find something questionnable, then I will not argue, I will only ask questions.

Sometimes, it is better to be courteous than to be right. So if I need to argue, then I will do it calmly, for I have learned that fierceness makes error a fault and truth, discourtesy.

I will think before I speak. I will be responsible for anything that comes out of my mouth. I will exercise tact at all times– the art of making a point, without making enemies.

I will defend what I believe in to the best of my capacity, but I will know when to shut up. If I am convinced that my opponent is right, then I will gladly concede for I know that we have arrived one step closer to the truth, by helping each other see, with each other’s eyes. I may have been proven wrong, but neither of us lost to the other.

Let one’s integrity serve as its own proof. Anything less is futile.