Do you want to be right or happy?

Hi Vicereine, and Gavrilovich, actually most of the times there are no absolute right or wrong. I think most of us are too fond of pointing out the opinions of others are wrong, and tell them directly. Probably keeping quiet is the wise choice in most cases. Sometimes, when emotions come into picture, no matter how well meaning you are, you cannot change other people. Try telling someone when she is madly in love that she should not love a guy who would make use of her! I think many parents have this dilemma. They cannot keep quiet, because they want the best for their children. If they nag too much, their kids run away.

First thank you very much Gavrilovich for the compliment and Scheng1 you are right to a certain extent that there is no true right or wrong. As I have stated though I used an example from children in school and for them there is a right and wrong in their studies. I also believe that in your case where your parents are trying to tell you right from wrong because they have been there before. The reason parents are as you say "nagging" is because they want the best for you and want to help you. Grant it some parents go about it the wrong way and are cruel about it but you can help steer your kids in the correct direction when you speak to them on an equal level. Also in some cases you need to not keep quiet because how will the other person learn a correct way of doing things or learn how to handle the same kind of situation? There is a way to be both happy and correct however, being correct is not always the sole reason for being happy.

Hi Tiffnkeat, I think you have read too many philosophical books! Your comment uses so many words, and yet nothing is clear. I do think it depends on the circumstances. I doubt you dare to tell your boss that you argue with him whole day just to prove that you are right! I think you will be out of a job very soon. I think in this case, you are protecting your job, and the money that comes with it. Maybe on your last day at work, then you can go around and argue with everyone until they turn purple.

Hi Polaris, yes, I would do the same thing too. If being right is not that important, then I just give up. Some people are too argumentative, and even if they win the argument, they lose the respect of their friends and colleagues. I think it is better to maintain good relationship, even if we are right, and everyone else is wrong. Sometimes it turns out that we are wrong, and we would not be so embarrassed if we stop arguing way before we are proven wrong.

Hi Alquizar, yes, I agree with you. If people are happy, and especially when they are happy with us, it is easier to get them to accept their mistakes or wrong assumptions when we tell them. I think having a good relationship with people is very important. We all hate to go home, and then quarrel the whole night with our family members, and we hate to go to work and quarrel with everyone. Best to keep quiet at times, and enjoy a cordial relationship with everyone.

Hi Zerd, I think that will depend on circumstances. Most people do not mind getting wrong or you telling they are wrong in small matters. But if you insist you are right, and your boss is wrong, then you are asking for trouble. Even if you are the best worker, you might not get promoted or a higher bonus. Your boss might even fire you because he does not like you.

Hi Pepperpopper, yes, it all depends. We can argue all we want in school, and our teachers may even praise us for our creativity and all those good qualities. But in the workplace, we cannot do that, and still expect our bosses to give us a job. I think even if we are right, and our bosses are wrong, we should just keep our mouth shut, unless they ask for our contributions.

Hi Rainbowliselle, same here, I tend to talk too much when I know I am right. Sometimes it takes years for our colleagues or friends to realize that we are right, but then we are labelled wrongly for a long time. I think if we are older, and can control our tongue better, then we know that keeping quiet is better. Even if someone wants us to express our opinion, we can do so without making others angry or embarrassed.