In 1952, President Harry Truman appointed Newbold Morris to a very important post. His duty was to keep a close check on crime and mismanagement in government affairs.
On one occasion, however, Morris was called before a Senate sub-committee to answer questions about the sale of some ships by his own company in New York. The interrogation became intense and emotions ran high.
Then Morris remembered a note his wife had given him that evening. Sensing the need to calm everyone down, he called out above the clamour, “Wait a minute. I have a note here from my wife.” Pulling it out of his pocket, he read the words, “Keep your shirt on.” There was a burst of laughter and the tension was eased.
Whenever we are in a tension-filled situation, either with just one individual or in a group, we need to remember that “a soft answer turns away wrath.”
There have been many occasions when I’ve regretted something I’ve said or regretted not saying something. It’s so easy to say something without thinking it through and people can be hurt in the process. I need to remember that staying calm is the best way to take the wind out of an angry person’s sails.