If your temper is aroused and you tell 'em a thing or two…
““If your temper is aroused and you tell 'em a thing or two, you will have a fine time unloading your feelings. But what about the other fellow? Will he share your pleasure? Will your belligerent tones, your hostile attitude, make it easy for him to agree with you? "If you come at me with your fists doubled," said Wood row Wilson, "I think I can promise you that mine will double as fast as yours; but if you come to me and say, 'Let us sit down and take counsel together, and, if we differ from one another, understand why it is that we differ from one another, just what the points at issue are,' we will presently find that we are not so far apart after all, that the points on which we differ are few and the points on which we agree are many, and that if we only have the patience and the candor and the desire to get together, we will get together.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Aggressive confrontation escalates conflict, while calm, patient dialogue reveals common ground and reduces hostility.
In simple terms: Fighting makes things worse; talking can find agreement.
Key Takeaway
Choose calm discussion over aggression.
Themes
communication
conflict resolution
empathy
Mood
reflective
hopeful
pragmatic
Type
advice
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- family disputes
- customer service
- political debates
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
psychology
social dynamics
negotiation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice patience when anger rises?
- What steps help shift from hostility to constructive dialogue?
A Different Perspective
Aggression may be necessary in self‑defense, limiting the advice’s universal applicability.