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About this quote

What does it mean?
Being wrong is insufficient without maintaining civility in disagreement.
In plain terms
If you are wrong, stay polite.
What can you take from it?
Maintain politeness even when incorrect.

Where it applies

  • arguments
  • workplace
  • family disputes

Putting it to work

  • stay polite in conflict
  • admit mistakes kindly

Questions to consider

  • Is politeness always better?
  • How do you handle being wrong?

Another view

Sometimes firmness is required over politeness.

More from Niels Bohr

  1. Truth and clarity are complementary.

    Permalink to quote #16
  2. Never express yourself more clearly than you are able to think.

    Permalink to quote #18
  3. Some subjects are so serious that one can only joke about them.

    Permalink to quote #15

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