If you are interested in effective communication, then arguing with others would be a highly questionable strategy.
If you are serious about wanting to maintain positive relations with your friends and avoid getting in angry and hurtful exchanges with others, then you should really consider the cogent and wise advice of the famous 19th century French novelist, Alexander Dumas:
“Never argue, you won’t convince anyone. Opinions are like nails; the more you hit them, the more you push them in.“
“The thing I hate about an argument is that it always interrupts a discussion. (G.K. Chesterton, English writer, philosopher)
“The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.” (Dale Carnegie, American motivational speaker, writer)
“Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” Rumi, 13th century Persian poet)
Getting Personal
Of all the memorable arguments you have had, have you ever felt that you had successfully convinced someone about your point of view? If so, how often has this ever happened?
Can you remember a time when after you argued with someone, you meaningfully changed your mind as a result of the argument? You felt that the other person had been successful in changing your mind. How often has this ever happened?
….Top of post image, The Art of Arguing, from humanities.org
