By Michael L. Alumbaugh © July 5, 2014
There are those who seem to put a high premium on being right. They just can't allow being caught in error. Now wanting to be right isn't necessarily wrong but it can become a huge point of pride.
Most of us squirm at that word. Usually we overlook taking pride in accomplishments, achievements, children, grand children, etc. Sometimes the conflicts derived from "rightness" can be humorous or even comical. But when it divides, creates walls, or bad behavior, it is quite another thing. As the old saw goes, "A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still."
The desire to be right is as old as the account in Genesis. Satan's whole deception was based on being right. Just look at Adam and Eve's response; total denial that they did anything wrong. They tried to justify their actions. They played "The Blame Game" dealing with conviction. And it has cost us all dearly. So too this dialogue. It's a profound preponderance: The Shame of Pride!
Is where oxymoronic thesis lies.
Yet I have concluded, indeed I’ve found
A thought that seems a bit profound.
For in pondering on this one insight,
I’ve studied its virtues and, to my delight,
It’s not a trivial fatuous thing.
But, in point of fact, has an intellectual ring.
And this is it; Whether day or night,
“I am almost certainly always right.”
Now surely you care to share a word,
For you think my thought a bit profane
Or perhaps I’ve gone a bit insane.
But let me say right from the start,
For I know how deeply this may sting your heart,
That you must protest, yes, that’s your song,
Because you think I must be wrong!
Which, as I shared at first in fright,
You’d pronounce me wrong for you think you’re right.
Thought myself as daft or even worse.
Yes, for as I searched my swirling mind
I profusely sweat, my teeth did grind,
I twiddled my fingers, my brow did twitch,
I got the shakes and my tongue did itch!
Oh to think that I, yes meager me
Could almost always most certainly be
Without recourse, remorse or spite
To think that I was most always right!
T’was I, most befuddled and perplexed,
In a conundrum and deeply vexed.
Yes, my disbelief seemed delusional,
Dubious and collisional.
And even worse so incredulously
I had to impugn the likes of thee.
I thought to myself “How foolishly bogus.”
“Get hold of yourself. Regain your focus!”
But the more I strained with all my might
I concluded that I must be right.
“Why you kook, you cur! You’re most deluded
To think yourself as all included
In this deliciously ludicrous thought.
Why it’s tommyrot! What poppycock!”
Oh yes, my friend. I must agree
For you too embrace with dignity
This most spurious judicious platitude.
And pardon me if I seem rude,
But your protest, why your insight
Is in so saying “I’m always right!”
For I had no thought as to deceive.
Nor hope to infer or even dare
Or cause undo worry or despair.
But simply, concisely to relate
To convey, relay (not equivocate),
In as clear of terms, as you’ve just agreed,
That my conviction, you must concede,
Is but a common vapid plight.
Though we may not state it: “I’m always right.”
