The Last Word

(Proverbs 17:9 KJV)  He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

I always seem to want the last word.  I think it is built into many of us.  When you get two last-worder’s together it makes for a long conversation.  Each “repeats” (8138) the same idea even if they use different words.  If it goes on long enough it “separates” (6504) us from our “friends” (441a).

I still have not learned to squelch this tendency.  It usually takes several rounds before I wake up to what is happening.  Usually at that point I try to find a way to back off.  That involves being the loser in the discussion.  What helps me is an awareness that I wasn’t going to win anyway.  What I find amusing is that the other person doesn’t want to let me go.  They will make repeated statements hoping to pull me back in.

So?  Let me go when I back away.  You don’t know me by sight?  Then extend the courtesy to anyone who tries to withdraw from a pointless argument.  You may save a friendship.