Have you ever encountered a difficult person? Someone who always thinks they are right, who considers themselves more intelligent or superior to everyone else? What about when that person is with us or part of our family?
Sometimes we can't just walk away or abandon the situation. And, to live well, we have to learn to manage these relationships. Without letting ourselves be contaminated and without caring, that is, bringing into ourselves the derogatory view that these people may have of us and others, to maintain this standard of “Always being right”.
The answer can be found in Stoic philosophy, which offers tools to prepare us for life. Often the knowledge we learn at school does not prepare us for life situations. The first Stoics said that the only function of this philosophy was to facilitate and improve the lives of everyone who practiced it.
Regardless of our age, social class, physical or financial condition, we can progress in our lives and move forward. We just need to have the desire and tools to teach us how to improve. Before we move on, if in any way you think this content helped you, please make sure it reaches more people.
Like, leave your comment, subscribe to the channel and share with a friend who needs it. One. Understand what you will find.
Epictetus used the example of public toilets in his lectures to teach an important lesson about mental preparation. In Ancient Rome, these places were frequented by people from all social classes, where not only physical needs took place, but also social interactions and debates. And people behave in different ways, some respected the space, while others threw water, left their belongings scattered on the floor and some only visited to commit petty theft and crimes.
Epictetus highlighted that, by knowing what to expect and mentally preparing for it, we can maintain calm and emotional control, even in potentially stressful or unpleasant situations. Even though public bathrooms no longer exist, the advice is valid and applicable in many situations in our lives. People who always think they are right are insecure and generally need constant affirmation about what they say and think to support their self-image.
Being right is the foundation they need to feel confident about themselves. For these people, being right comes first and becomes more important than the truth, than an easier way to do something or the common good, because this feeling of always being right reinforces their sense of security. Therefore, when you contradict them, present something new or in some way disagree with what the person says or thinks, even if it is on simple subjects, this already causes so much discussion and friction.
The need to feel good and safe should come from looking at ourselves and not others . Epictetus tells us that being truly happy comes from not worrying about things we can't control, like other people's opinions. We do not control other people's opinions.
But, we control ours. We have this ability to control what we think and how we react. When dealing with people who always want to be right, it's helpful to understand that they really need that approval.
This helps us not take it personally and keep our calm. For these people, being right is more important than the truth itself. It is more important to be right than to learn a new way of doing something, or to learn a new point of view.
In other words, even if you use an argument or present an easier way to get results, she won't listen to you. Understanding this leaves us prepared, so that when we encounter people like this, we know how to deal with the situation, responding in a balanced way and without letting it upset us emotionally. A person who thinks they are always right needs other people to agree with their opinion, their security depends on this validation and this means that they do not accept any type of opinion that is contrary to theirs.
It is important to highlight that Stoicism teaches us the opposite of this, to practice flexibility emotional and constantly be humble to learn, advance and improve ourselves . As the words of Marcus Aurelius confirm: “If someone can prove me wrong and show me my error in any thought or action, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which has never harmed anyone: evil is persisting in one's own self-deception and ignorance.
” Two. Know your value. Some people who always need to be right tend to think they are superior to others and can make us doubt ourselves.
They insist so much on their own ideas that they are right that we can begin to feel that our opinions are wrong, that we are less intelligent or even that we have learning difficulties. They completely reverse the situation. When you don't know your worth it becomes easy to fall into this type of trap, especially due to the power of convincing these people.
This can be very harmful as it affects our self-confidence and our ability to trust our own judgments and abilities. There are ways to deal with people who always need to be right, and one of them is to remember that, despite our external differences, such as one being thin, another fat, tall, short, rich, poor, we all share the same human nature. We all have fears, insecurities, and desires, which puts us on fundamental equality.
When you meet someone like this, keep these two points in your mind: Firstly, the other person is important, but so are you. All of us as human beings are important. Sometimes we put people on a pedestal and in doing so, we diminish ourselves.
We recognize that such a person is extraordinary, but we forget that we have similar capabilities within us. Moral and cognitive development is within the reach of everyone who dedicates themselves to it, it is not exclusive to some people. It does not just belong to a few, but is accessible to all who seek and cultivate it.
Understanding this makes you wake up to look at yourself and discover your own value. Not just admiring this value in others, but learning to build and develop your potential. So, when talking and interacting with someone who insists on always being right, think: “We are two important people, discussing something that benefits us both.
” This helps you maintain a balanced perspective and respect both your own opinion and that of others. Three. Keep the dialogue light.
People who always want to be right can make us lose our cool and destabilize us, but that only happens if we let them. We need to remember that people can only affect us as much as we allow them to. As Marcus Aurelius wrote to himself in Meditations: “Do not feel harmed and you will not be harmed.
” One useful strategy Epictetus suggests is to use humor. When someone tries to dominate the conversation by insisting that they are always right, responding lightly can help reduce tension. At this moment, pay attention to your body posture.
If your arms are crossed or very tense, try to relax a little. Adopt a more open posture and respond calmly and lightly. This can help prevent the conversation from turning into an endless argument.
Maintaining a welcoming posture and speaking calmly are effective ways to control the situation. It's easy to get stressed during an argument, especially when emotions start to take over. At these moments, conversations can quickly turn into insults.
Stress doesn't help when we're trying to talk to someone who thinks they're superior. These people often go beyond limits, trying to impose their opinions. To truly achieve a productive outcome in an argument, it is crucial to remain calm.
This allows us to focus on what really matters and not get carried away by provocations. In Stoicism, using humor is seen as a sign of intelligence and a way of remaining calm in the face of problems. The Stoics thought that laughing and making jokes helped us accept the things we can't change and emotionally remove ourselves from the problems happening around us.
With humor, they faced challenges in a calmer and more relaxed way, without letting themselves to be overly shaken by problems. Choosing a calmer, more thoughtful response rather than direct confrontation helps control the situation without turning it into an ego battle. Four.
Avoid useless disputes. Before starting a debate, ask yourself: What is the purpose of this discussion? Is it worth investing my time and energy in this?
Marco Aurélio in his "Meditations" advises that all actions must have a clear purpose. Asking yourself if it's worth starting a discussion means understanding whether you're doing something productive or just wasting time. People who believe they are always right are often stubborn, convinced that they have all the knowledge or, worse, that their truth is the only one that matters.
Most of the time these people adopt an arrogant stance. They speak as if they are superior and treat others as if they are less intelligent or as if they need them to learn something. These attitudes show how arrogant they are.
Epictetus reminds us of a fundamental truth: it is impossible to learn something new if you believe you already know everything. A person who always sees themselves as right rarely learns or allows themselves to get out of this position of false superiority that they themselves created and believe they have. Measuring strength with someone like that ends up being exhausting and completely useless.
And it's important to understand that the fact that someone thinks they're better than others doesn't make it true, it's just their opinion, and probably unfounded. This reminds me of a true story from the American Navy, which took place in October 1995, between a United States Navy ship and Canadian coastal authorities, near the coast of Newfoundland. The conversation began with the Americans asking calmly: Please alter your course fifteen degrees to the north to avoid a collision with our vessel.
The Canadians responded immediately: I suggest you change your course fifteen degrees to the south. The American was irritated and replied: This is the captain of an American Navy ship. I repeat, change your course.
But, the Canadian maintained his position: No. Change your current course. The situation began to escalate.
The American captain shouted into the microphone: This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the American fleet in the Atlantic. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three frigates and several support ships. I demand that you change your course fifteen degrees to the north, or else we will take measures to ensure the safety of our ship.
And the Canadian replied: This is a lighthouse, over! The American captain had no choice but to change his route, as a lighthouse cannot move . Sometimes our arrogance makes us blind.
. . How many times do we criticize the actions of others or demand that the people around us change their behavior when, in fact, we are the ones who should change our own path.
A person who always believes they are right adopts the captain's stance, their insecurity and arrogance does not allow them to see things as they are, but rather, through the false idea of greatness that they have constructed of themselves. Learn to identify when an argument becomes pointless and know when it's time to walk away. Avoiding unnecessary disputes helps you maintain your inner peace and focus your energy where it really matters.
Every minute we waste pointlessly is a minute we could dedicate to our personal development. Five. Be understanding.
Trying to understand another person's point of view is a valuable way to show empathy. You can ask, "Why do you think that way? " or "How did you come to that conclusion?
" These questions help you understand how she formed her opinions and beliefs. Another point of being understanding is to practice active listening, listening carefully, showing respect for the other person's ideas and points of view. What a person who sees themselves as “knowing everything” knows best is not respecting the opinions or knowledge of others.
By listening carefully, you show respect and a willingness to talk. And as Marcus Aurelius reminds us: “The best we can be is not to become like our enemies. ” This means sticking to our principles even when we don't agree with what others do.
Start by encouraging constructive dialogue, and try to value the contributions that each person can bring, regardless of their origin. This is part of Stoicism, a philosophy that says we all have something to teach. It is important to bear in mind that someone's stubbornness often comes from feeling insecure.
These people use what they know as protection against their own weaknesses. If they are contradicted, these insecurities can be affected, leading to exaggerated reactions that range from speaking louder to, in extreme situations, physical aggression. Obstination is also common among people who believe they know everything.
This behavior often comes across as an arrogant attitude, acting as if everyone around them knows less or depends on them for knowledge. Some people may also feel the need to control everything around them, which is often a manifestation of insecurity. Trying to control what others think, they want to prevent any opinion from hurting them or challenging their belief system that they worked so hard to build.
And, as we know through Stoicism, it is impossible to control the opinions of others, which is why talking to people who believe they know everything, learn better than everyone else, or understand the world better is so difficult. Whether in a work meeting, in a college class or at home, interacting with these people requires a lot of patience and understanding. They seek security in external approval and try to control what people think and believe to feel good about themselves.
Protecting your weaknesses and fears rather than confronting them. Every time we look inside ourselves, we gain the opportunity to know ourselves better, to understand and learn to deal with our emotions, our depressive feelings, our anger. Every time we look to something external to fill those answers, we give our power away to whoever .
Finally, it is important to think about whether it is worth arguing with people like this. It is often better to recognize when the conversation is going nowhere and walk away, maintaining peace of mind and using your energy in more useful ways. Six.
Reflect on your own beliefs. Sometimes we learn wrong and continue doing something wrong all our lives. As Epictetus told us, there are two ways of looking at the same situation, we can also use the challenge of a conversation with someone who always thinks they are right to examine and strengthen our own beliefs.
Reflecting on what we believe is very important for us to grow as people. Often, without realizing it, we follow ideas or behaviors without questioning whether they are really good or right, simply because that is how we learned from a young age. We are shaped by our environment, and influenced by the character of those around us .
When we talk to someone who always thinks they are right, we can use this situation as a chance to think more about our own ideas. The philosopher Epictetus taught us that we can see the same situation in different ways. This means that, even if someone doesn't seem to change their opinion, we can take the opportunity to review and strengthen what we ourselves believe.
Listening to what others have to say and thinking about it can help us see if we are wrong somewhere or if there is something we can improve. It's good to keep an open mind and always be willing to learn from others. When you're talking to someone who seems to know everything, try not to be quick to judge or think, "That person thinks they're better than everyone else.
" Already knowing that this is her way, prepare yourself for what lies ahead and approach the conversation in a different way. Listen carefully and see if there is anything useful that you can learn or understand better during the discussion. Even though it may seem difficult, this approach can bring valuable insights and help you grow.
It is also essential to know when our beliefs are right and need to be defended. Talking to someone who believes they are always right not only makes us doubt our ideas or put our judgment to the test, but it can also be a confirmation of our values and principles. If after thinking and debating with a “know it all” you see that your ideas continue to make sense, this reinforces our confidence in them.
In the end, being open to changing our opinions when necessary shows that we are mature and have emotional intelligence. Viewing challenges as opportunities to learn, and not as threats, significantly transforms our way of thinking, and also makes us more balanced and aware in our lives. Seven.
Use reason. According to Seneca, using reason is essential to achieve clarity of thought. This helps maintain emotional stability, no matter how difficult a conversation or interaction with someone who always wants to be right may be.
There is an important Stoic principle that says: “No one can disturb or destabilize us unless we allow it. ” Although Stoic philosophy is very ancient, its wisdom is surprisingly modern and current. It helps us build resistance and strength to face everyday challenges.
And it can help you become emotionally resilient so that you don't allow yourself to be upset by external events, nor allow yourself to be irritated by anyone. Stoic philosophy can teach you how to control yourself and remain calm in the middle of a difficult conversation, or argument. It can help you make decisions and therefore drastically simplify your everyday life.
The key point here is to use logical and rational arguments, rather than emotional ones, to discuss different points of view. Striving to maintain serenity no matter what happens around you. But remember that while for us this can be a learning experience, for others it can feel like an attack on their self-esteem.
Eight. The power of silence. Often, when we try to explain our point of view to people who think they are right , it seems that they never really listen to us.
This may happen because it is difficult for these people to accept other people's ideas . Even if they hear us, they won't respond or engage in the conversation. What for us is learning, for them it is an attack on their self-esteem.
For example, if someone criticizes us for something we do, like eating meat or supporting a certain political movement, it makes us reflect. We consider the criticism, think about the reasons behind it, and decide whether or not we should incorporate this new perspective into our beliefs. This is part of a healthy process of learning and adaptation.
In the case of an insecure person, if we give them this same information, they will not listen and will always impose their arguments so that nothing changes their way of thinking . This behavior creates barriers in communication, and often makes a simple conversation difficult. Knowing this, we can choose the best strategy as a response: silence.
Silence can be very helpful, especially when we are dealing with someone who thinks they are always right. Often times, choosing not to get into an argument can help us avoid fights and stay calm. Stoic philosophy teaches us that valuing silence helps maintain our inner peace.
The Stoics believed that we must control our reactions to the situations around us in order to remain calm. When we decide to be still in moments of tension, we are practicing control over ourselves. Choosing not to speak does not mean that we are passive, cowardly or that we agree with everything.
It shows that we are strong and aware. Knowing when to speak and when to be quiet is an important skill that helps us deal with difficult situations. It's not always worth the price of opening our mouth and talking back to the person who “knows everything”.
Silence also allows us to observe more and think more clearly about what is happening. Instead of wasting energy on endless arguments, we can use this time to reflect and try to understand others better. This can open our minds to new ideas and perspectives that we wouldn't see if we were fighting.
Therefore, using silence is not just a way to avoid conflict, it is a way to grow personally. We learn about patience, about setting limits and choosing our battles. In a world full of opinions, knowing when to be quiet can be a powerful way to assert our position and maintain our peace of mind.
Dealing with people who think they are always right can be very difficult and tiring. It's important to learn to deal with this intelligently. In all the strategies you saw in the video, it is important to understand their value, master your ability to react through reason and have the emotional intelligence to deal with the stress that these people try to cause in us.
This balanced way of acting helps you remain firm and respectful while avoiding unnecessary arguments. This way, you strengthen your confidence and learn to deal better with complicated situations. The most important thing is that you don't cancel yourself out, lose your identity, or diminish yourself all the time just to avoid fights.
When you decide to give in, do so strategically, so that the price of your peace is not your self-esteem or you giving your power to others. And if you made it this far, comment: “Gratitude”. Now, to learn how to deal with regret, watch the video that appears on your left.
Thank you for always being here with us.
