A Fool

It doesn't pay to argue with a fool when the fool doesn't recognize which of you is the fool.

Being Nice

If you are different from the norms society sees, wants, expects and often accepts, people may be nice to you because either they're just being polite to hide their dislke, even hate, for you or your choices in life, or they truly accept you as a person and may even want and like you as a friend.

The difference is always hard to tell at first and even long afterward as people often hide, even disguise, their true feelings about you with politeness. You may never know until in those moments of quiet comfort with them, they'll relax and be your friend.

And then you know they don't just accept you, they are your friend. They won't be politely nice anymore, they'll be what friends are, themselves with you and you are with them. Cherish them as they will be few in number and in the years between new friends.

Embarrassingly Stupid

If you ever done anything or said anything embarrassingly stupid and feel terrible enough you want to hide, just look around you and look at your watch. You'll notice the world didn't end and time didn't stop. Everything goes on as it did just before that moment which fades into everything else in time.

What's Worse

What's worse than an adult man being silly? Everyone thinks he's just being stupid. The answer? An old man being silly because everyone thinks he has a mental condition due to his age. So if you're an old man, be silly anyway. Enjoy knowing how sane you are when everyone thinks you're not.

Two Rules

The first is the old adage, "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything." To which I've added over the years, "If you can't say a negative in a positive way, then don't say it."