THOMAS JEFFERSON, in a letter to his grandson:
When I hear another express an opinion which is not mine, I say to myself, he has a right to his opinion, as I to mine. Why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixote, to bring all men by force of argument to one opinion? Be a listener only, keep within yourself, and endeavor to establish with yourself the habit of silence, especially in politics.
What powerful advice, and woe that so few avail themselves of it. I am stricken with the truth of it when I acknowledge the great misery I could have spared myself and others if only I had taken these words to heart a little sooner.