Proverbs 20:3
"Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel"
This passage is a continuation of the idea discussed in the previous verse (20:2): the anger of the leader. The fool is the person who just constantly needs to point out the other point of view; who needs to be right; who needs to be noticed even when it is not helpful to be right.
When you do not have to cross swords or expectations with those around you, then you would be wise to avoid it even if you do not completely agree with the direction or idea or topic. There is no need inherent in any relationship – especially the relationship of leader to follower – that requires a person to come up with, point out, or develop alternative points of view. In fact, it is the fool who usually does not understand that moving down a different path than what was declared as the goal is the clearest way to provoke the leader to anger and lose your life in that company or organization.
But the fool sees it as honorable to constantly criticize and constantly point out the other point of view. Do not constantly be disagreeing with people; let it go. Work hard to avoid criticizing people. Only when you are forced to do it should you do this.
We often play the fool in this way. We want to make ourselves look good or we disagree when we have a valid point, but it will not cause the other person to change his/her point of view. It will just cause this person to hate you.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz