Zeno: Better to stumble on your feet than to stumble…

A physical misstep is usually brief. We regain balance, brush ourselves off, and move on. Spoken carelessness can remain with another person long after the moment passes. A cutting joke, an accusation sent while angry, or a confidence repeated for attention can do damage that an apology may not fully erase. This does not require us to become silent or fearful. It asks us to add a pause between impulse and language. Before responding today, especially when irritated, ask whether the words are true, necessary, and proportionate. If the answer is unclear, take a breath or return to the conversation later. We will still make mistakes, but fewer of them will be made at someone else's expense. Careful speech is one of the simplest ways to make our presence safer for others.