Saturday, October 26, 2019
Clear reasoning
Just because something is new, doesn’t make it better. Just because something has a higher price, doesn’t mean it is more desirable.
Just because you disagree with someone on one issue, doesn’t make that person wrong about everything. Just because everyone agrees, doesn’t make something true, or right.
It’s easy to oversimplify, to make sweeping generalizations, to base your actions solely on assumptions. It’s better, though, to employ reason, mental effort, experience, and discipline.
Before you jump to a conclusion you might regret, pause, calm down, gather your thoughts. Take a few steps back from the issue, put it in perspective, look at the bigger picture.
Take a good, dispassionate look at the objective facts. Evaluate the content of what’s being said apart from your opinions about the person saying it.
Make clear reasoning your goal, not demonstrating how quick or clever or pompous you can be. Let truth and usefulness be your most desired conclusions.
— Ralph Marston