About this quote

Strong emotion narrows what we notice and makes quick, blunt answers feel convincing. Loud words can mask weak thinking, so being forceful doesn't guarantee correctness. Ask yourself whether the reaction comes from fresh evidence or old hurt. If you want better decisions, pause, ask one clear question, or step away for ten minutes before replying.

When to use it

• At a staff meeting when a teammate suddenly shouts about a missed target, I tell myself "Angry people are not always wise" before I jump in to defend my work.
• During a heated conversation with my partner about bills, I take a breath and remember the line so I can ask for the facts instead of answering with anger.
• After a coach lashes out at the team for a mistake, I repeat the quote in my head and focus on what I can improve instead of arguing back.
• When I get an angry email about a late assignment, I wait until the next morning and re-read the details before replying.