""Los argumentos deben ser evitados siempre son vulgares y a menudo convincentes""

The idea here is that getting into arguments is often a bad move—they tend to be rude and, ironically, persuasive. This was penned by Oscar Wilde, a guy known for his sharp wit and deep observations on human behavior. Wilde was writing in an era where social etiquette was a big deal, but his insights are still spot-on today.

To see this in action, let's think of a Facebook debate. You know the ones—someone posts a strong opinion, then the comments light up like a Christmas tree with people arguing back and forth. Does anyone ever emerge victorious in these threads? Rarely. Instead, what usually happens is that people dig their heels in deeper. They get more entrenched in their views, and sometimes, they even end up adopting some of the opposing points just to keep the debate going. It’s almost like the argument itself becomes the point, not the opinions being tossed around.

Now, how do you apply this wisdom? Next time you're tempted to dive into an argument—whether it's online, at work, or with family—pause for a second. Ask yourself if it's worth it. Is there a way to express your views without getting into a fight? Often, you can have a calm, respectful conversation instead. That’s usually more productive and way less stressful.

Imagine you're at a family dinner, and Uncle Bob brings up politics. You know that if you take the bait, it's going to be a long, loud night. Instead, you might say, "I see where you're coming from, but I think we have different perspectives on this." You’ve acknowledged him without starting a war. You’ve avoided the vulgarity Wilde talks about, and you’ve sidestepped an argument that might have convinced you of something you don’t really believe, just because you got caught up in the heat of the moment.

Let me tell you about my friend Sarah. She's a master at this. At work, she often finds herself in meetings where everyone has strong opinions. One day, her team was debating the best approach for a marketing campaign. Voices were getting louder, tempers were flaring. Sarah didn’t jump into the fray. Instead, she listened, then calmly said, "I think we're all passionate about this project, which is great. How about we list out our key points and see where we agree?" Everyone took a step back. The argument cooled off, and they ended up having a productive discussion. They found common ground and moved forward, all because Sarah avoided an argument and steered the conversation in a more civil direction.

So, next time you feel the heat rising, think about Wilde’s words. Avoid the argument. It might feel satisfying in the moment to get the last word, but in the long run, it’s often the wiser, more sophisticated choice to keep things cool and collected. You'll thank yourself later, and so will everyone around you.