It is unkind ad unfair to discuss behind the back the indecencies of my colleague without saying some nice words on their behalf. They are all my good friends and we are on good terms up to now.

  Being a contented dreamer, I always draw the line at making petty gains at the expense of others. Sometimes I would willingly sacrifice a little for peace if peace could be maintained. As I have discussed in previous topics, a wise man shall learn how to keep himself away from the chatterbox as well as the shrew.

A few months ago when I was talking casually with my friend, she suddenly blew off and threw a few sharp remarks at me. I was shocked at her fury and uttered no words in kind. She later sincerely apologized to me for her rudeness and requested me not to take it to heart. Sure enough I have immediately waved aside issues like this, but the sting remained, for I reserved it as a fodder for future discussion.

Today a similar event occurred. My colleague, who was adored by all of us, suddenly turned sour and harshly accused me of my impropriety.  The atmosphere became rigid, though we pretended that nothing had happened. She seemed in a bad mood today, I reckon, so it is understandable that she would feel better after the explosion. We didn’t talk to each other the whole afternoon; she also assumed a stance of indifference. So be it, and tomorrow we shall be reconciled.

Silence is gold. Any time some incidents like this happen we should let it be as it is, rather than insist on punishing the wrongdoer. The policy, teeth for teeth, eye for eye, can only be applicable in battlefields. Chinese have been renowned for our manners. Men must respect their gentle sex, no matter how independent they claim to be.