Is there really anything wrong with trying to prove you are right? Or does it just make you look petty?

Question

I admit it. I'm very smart, and I for some reason, I have this compelling urge to argue with people to prove that I'm right and they are wrong. I don't suffer idiots lightly. Is there something wrong with that? Please tell the truth. I'll know if you're b.s.ing me. BTW, I'm 23, if that means anything.

Answer 1

I see nothing wrong with proving you're right...if you actually are.
Sadly, I've been completely wrong but thought I was right & even when I realized I was wrong...kept arguing that I was right.(hehe)
But I did the right thing, admitted I was wrong & proved I was right about something else. Just kidding.
Why wonder if something's wrong with proving you are right? The other person is going to prove something.for sure; Either prove they are right or prove they're an idiot. I'd rather come out on top & be right. There's more dignity in that!!! But be sure to admit when you're wrong, it builds character & teaches us to keep our mouth shut if we're not actually sure & jump in with both feet when we know for sure what we're talking about.
I don't think it's petty...just competative & confident.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"Never enter a battle of wits unarmed!"

Answer 2

LOL, I have a similar attitude. I do not suffer fools gladly!

I think ultimately, it's down to priorities. HOW important is it that you show the other that you are right and they are wrong? If it was about which exit to take from a burning building then I would fight my case, but if it's about say, the correct time to boil an egg so as to get the yolk runny but the white hard, then I wouldn't pursue it as that WOULD be petty.

A better person can agree to differ.

At the end of the day, what really matters is your knowledge that YOU are right. If the other person does not or cannot see that, then more fool them, I say. It's all not that important in the "great scheme of things!"

Answer 3

Sometimes we say things or get into an argument thinking that we know all the facts about a topic. if it is a discussion and you always have to prove yourself right then that is wrong because you cannot always know all the facts about anything. Maybe some facts eluded you and you are fighting over half knowledge. Sometimes it also depends on the type of argument. It is said that we chose our battles and cant fight over every petty thing. You can go around correcting every fool even if you know it for a fact, that he/she is wrong.
Basically it is all situational and depends on what you really believe in and what matters to you most. It is your choice.

Answer 4

To me depending on the situation its not wrong of you to correct ppl, but to "always" do it yes. You have to understand that everybody is entitled to their own opinion and not everyone thinks the same or is as "smart as you". I mean think about it what satisfaction do you get out of being right all the time? Why cant you (yourself) consciously know that you're right and have that be satisfaction enough? Petty isnt the right word i would say that makes you self-righteous. Theres a saying that goes "Im always right, i thought i was wrong once but i was mistaken".

Answer 5

I don't think it's necessary to always prove you are right. In most situations it doesn't really matter. Sometimes different viewpoints are expressed and argued just a matter on conversation but I would never argue to the point of making the other person feel dumb. You could always use the 10 10 10 rule before you decide if it is worth arguing a point. Will it matter 10 minutes from now, 10 months from now or 10 years from now. In other words, pick your battles. No one like to be around someone who always argues and thinks they are always right.

Answer 6

Well, there's nothing wrong with trying to prove a point, as long as you provide a valid argument and aren't just repeating your point. It starts to look petty when the person you are trying to convince obviously isn't going to change his opinion based on what you say; in other words, when it's a lost cause. And I'm 21, if that means anything.

Answer 7

Nothing wrong with proving you are right but you have to do it tastefully. Don't bring down the person for being wrong but help him to understand his mistakes. Don't argue, just talk in an adult manner. If the person still does not understand then just drop it. If you still continue then it makes you a jerk and nobody likes a show off jerk.

Answer 8

There is nothing wrong with it....in fact in today's culture its very common....People that see the world in black and white don't understand how a person can go on thinking wrong information so one feels this inherent need to set them straight....

But when you get to that point in your life that you are very very smart, only then will you realize that acknowledging someone's misinformation in an argumentative fashion is a way to make yourself feel better that you are smarter than them..stroking your ego....instead of trying to converse with them to understand why their information is wrong....then you could explain youself and how your information is valid ...then......BAMM they agree with you.... they are not defensive b/c you never hit them with your arrogance....A conversation is soooo much better than an argument any day.....arguing makes my head hurt

Answer 9

I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to prove you are right. I do that myself. The problem, though, is that other people become very annoyed and may think you are being petty.

Answer 10

Petty. Screw it. It just shows that you have no purpose or direction in life. If you did, you wouldn't give a crap about petty arguing. U suck. Grow up.