When Ignorance Talks, Intelligence Laughs

Sometimes when people remain silent in the face of criticism, envy, or provocation, it’s not for lack of an argument or lack of courage. It’s just that when ignorance talks, intelligence stays quiet, laughs, and walks away.

However, we all know that keeping calm when you receive criticism or scorn isn’t exactly easy. According to a study published in USA Today, 70% of people feel hurt by criticism, 20% face it and reject it angrily, and only 10% reflect on it and let it go when it reflects nothing but ignorance.

One of the reasons why it’s so difficult to accept criticism is that people need to feel accepted and reaffirmed. Criticism is the loss of this subtle, personal balance stitched together by pride. But when criticism is based on profound ignorance, there’s no risk to your self-concept.

We should all accept that some arguments simply aren’t worth it. When there are ears that don’t listen and narrow minds that can’t be changed by explanations, it’s better to stay quiet, laugh, and let it go.

Ignorance is the seed of intolerance

Let’s start by focusing on the meaning of ignorance. We don’t mean a lack of culture or knowledge. The most pernicious kind of ignorance is the kind that lacks the intimacy, empathy, and sensitivity to put oneself in the other person’s shoes; the kind that likes to pass contemptuous value judgments.

The highest level of ignorance is when you reject something that you know nothing about. When you even know that you’re missing facts or information, but you prefer to dedicate your effort towards maintaining your position rather than to finding the information. These attitudes are the seed of intolerance and rudeness, which most of us have experienced in ourselves at some point.

The most complicated part is that sometimes, ignorance exists in our closest circles. In fathers, mothers, and other close family members, who judge everyone else without knowing or bothering to learn about their interests or needs. In these cases, of course, intolerance, criticism, and offenses really hurt.

But with time, wounds heal, and you mature and finally come to understand many things. You understand that people don’t change, and that people don’t move from ignorance to knowledge because they don’t want to. In the face of all these behaviors, there’s no other option than to accept that the battle is lost, keep your dignity, and calm your soul. Understand that in the end, it’s better to stay quiet, smile with intelligence, and put distance between you and them.

When intelligence is obligated to react

It’s not always possible or right to choose silence in the face of contempt and wrongdoing. Sometimes, intelligence is obligated to react in order to defend its integrity. Because sometimes it’s necessary to raise your voice assertively, securely, and courageously to make it clear where your limits are.

It’s good to react in the following situations:

• In the face of manipulators. When the voice of ignorance crosses the border of respect and uses disparagement to define themselves and acquire power, you have to act.
• You never have to let a manipulator assume control. As soon as possible, cut off their comments, their insults, and their biting sarcasm at the first hint of it.

There are also too many professional humiliators in the world. People who seek to humiliate others, both in public and in private, to gain power. The root of this behavior, on occasions, is envy.

• You can’t beat a humiliator by humiliating them, shouting at them, or being violent. The thing that conquers them is indifference, which shows them that they have no power over you. You’ll make it clear what you think of their behavior once and for all. Be direct, maintain eye contact, and be very assertive.
• Later, if they continue with their attitude, show them that what they do and say doesn’t affect you, that they have no influence over you.

To conclude, we all know that the most harmful kind of ignorance can plant seeds along your path. But it’s nothing but a weed. Think hard about which battles are worth waging and which aren’t, because the most important thing is to preserve your inner peace.

Be skillful, be prudent, and understand that narrow minds never understand big dreams, and that some ears are deaf to intelligent words.