The Spreading of Anger

[Orophin]

The trick is to always be right. It works most of the time. (Unless the stupid people are also idiots...)

Embody the ideals of greatness, and you shall be great...

If you can't be sure of being right, just say things that are non-commital, like "maybe" or "perhaps" or "Hell, I don't know".

That way, regardless of what you really beleive, what you said was never wrong, and so you are never wrong. It helps if you're right, of course, but until you can prove it, or ensure that it can't be proven otherwise, non-commital terms ensure that the stupid people are kept in line.

Also, big words help. You have no idea how many people will be taken aback when you use the word Triskaidekaphobia, even if it has nothing to do with your conversation.

[Teяa253]

precisely.

And there are many times when people say things that can and are used against them.

amazingly enough, it's a good way to win.
~Azula~

[Orophin]

If you read Plato's "Gorgias", you'll notice that Socrates does the same thing.

[Teяa253]

All in all, there are a lot of things that a person can do to utilize the situation and turn it to their advantage.

and that is what I aspire for--to ensure that there is always something that I can use to my advantage so that I don't lose.

so far so good.
~Azula~

[Orophin]

Problems only arise when the only way to turn something to your advantage in one way turns it against you in another... though that's a rare and unavoidable circumstance.

[Teяa253]

unless you're smart enough.
then it's easily avoidable.
~Azula~

[Orophin]

Well, I did say "only". Those cases are very rare.

Most cases, some quick thinking can solve anything.

[Teяa253]

exactly.
~Mai~