The Clog from OzJon Gay and Arguments
June 5th 2006 05:52
“Those who in quarrels interpose, must often wipe a bloody nose”
- John Gay
John Gay was born in 1685 and was an English poet and dramatist. He is best remembered for The Beggar's Opera, written in 1728. He was on the right track wih this quote. When two people are physically fighting, they are usually careless of where their arms are flying and this 'bloody nose' can easily be made on the interfering, third person..
Not to mention that this third person would probably just annoy the other two by intervening and may even receive a punch on purpose, just to get him (or her, but usually him!) out of the way.
Even when we fight with words during an argument, the interfering third person risks becoming part of the row and being yelled at. Taking sides is never a good idea but even if the intervener is neutral they are often confronted with a harsh “Shut up!” or “But out!” from the arguers.
It seems like it’s in our nature to want to mediate arguments, even with the possibility of becoming part of the dispute ourselves. Is it because we think we're so good and we’ll make it all better, and solve the problem? Or do we just like being in a good quarrel, just for that heated energy it brings?
Image available under the GNU Free Documentation License - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:BrokenNose.jpg
- John Gay
John Gay was born in 1685 and was an English poet and dramatist. He is best remembered for The Beggar's Opera, written in 1728. He was on the right track wih this quote. When two people are physically fighting, they are usually careless of where their arms are flying and this 'bloody nose' can easily be made on the interfering, third person..
Intervening can give you a nosebleed...
Even when we fight with words during an argument, the interfering third person risks becoming part of the row and being yelled at. Taking sides is never a good idea but even if the intervener is neutral they are often confronted with a harsh “Shut up!” or “But out!” from the arguers.
It seems like it’s in our nature to want to mediate arguments, even with the possibility of becoming part of the dispute ourselves. Is it because we think we're so good and we’ll make it all better, and solve the problem? Or do we just like being in a good quarrel, just for that heated energy it brings?
Image available under the GNU Free Documentation License - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:BrokenNose.jpg
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