He asked me quietly as we walked the next day, 'What have you done to the young soldier? Put the fear of god into him' I had meant to be funny. Odd, how a man can be careful in all his pronouncements, and then forget everything he knows as a joke comes to mind and he impulsively tells it
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A joke intended humorously can have serious unintended consequences on others.
- In plain terms
- A careless joke can hurt or scare someone even if you meant no harm.
- What can you take from it?
- Think before speaking, even in jest.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Did your words match your intent?
- How did others react?
Another view
Sometimes humor is necessary for bonding, despite risks.
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