The Strength of Silence: Navigating Negativity and Unfundable Judgment

Don’t respond, it will be the best answer for them!

"Silence is the best answer for negative people" conveys a profound truth: when confronted with negativity, opting to remain silent can be the most powerful response. 

Engaging with those who thrive on conflict often leads to a cycle of negativity that drains your energy and peace of mind. By choosing not to respond, you not only sidestep unnecessary confrontations but also send a clear message that their negativity holds no power over you.

Moreover, this principle extends to non-generous individuals who feel entitled to criticize the choices of others, especially regarding food. These critics often embody a deeper corruption and incompetence, projecting their insecurities onto those around them. Instead of fostering a spirit of generosity and understanding, they choose to point fingers, revealing their own shortcomings. 

In such moments, silence becomes not just a refuge, but a declaration of self-respect and resilience against judgment. Embracing silence in the face of negativity and judgment empowers you to maintain your dignity and focus on what truly matters.

“Silence is the best answer for negative people” suggests that, when confronted with negativity, the wisest approach is often to remain silent. By not responding, you avoid escalating the situation, conserve your energy, and send a subtle yet powerful message that you won’t engage in or tolerate negativity. Sometimes, silence speaks louder than words, signalling disapproval without further conflict.

Unfortunately, this advice is often applicable to individuals who occupy high positions in public institutions, believing themselves to be superior to everyone else. These individuals, who cloak their incompetence in well-tailored suits, are nothing more than well-dressed thieves, hoarding resources meant for the rightful beneficiaries. Their actions deprive those who truly deserve the benefits, all while lining their own pockets. Incompetence, negligence, and inflated egos often run rampant among these figures, and when confronted, they behave like the most illiterate and uncultured individuals, resorting to childish deflections and evasions.

It’s heartbreaking to witness once-respected institutions crumble, not because of poor leadership at the top, but because that leadership is surrounded by individuals who are unqualified and unworthy of their roles. The harm they do to these organisations is immeasurable. And to add insult to injury, it is especially frustrating to see such people in positions of power while countless qualified, hardworking, and honest individuals outside are denied the opportunities they deserve. The system is broken, and the damage done by these incompetent people is not only damaging to the institutions they work for, but to society at large.

However, it is crucial to remember that the fight against such unethical practices in the workplace is far from hopeless. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16, which advocates for “peace, justice, and strong institutions,” provides a vital framework for addressing these issues. It calls for building institutions that are accountable, transparent, and inclusive, as well as eliminating corruption and unethical practices that prevent progress. By aligning with these goals, we can collectively work towards a more just and fair system where competence and integrity are the standards, not the exceptions. Advocating for such reforms, both within our institutions and at the broader societal level, will help break the cycle of corruption and incompetence that so often plagues public services.

In the end, as the saying goes:

“Помните, что лучшее средство от головной боли – это все-таки не гильотина, а анальгин.”

(Translation: Remember, the best remedy for a headache is not a guillotine, but rather an analgesic.)

This proverb reminds us that while drastic measures may seem tempting in the face of frustration, the most effective solutions often lie in calm, reasoned approaches. Fighting systemic issues doesn’t require extreme actions, but careful, thoughtful steps toward reform.

Similarly, the Brazilian proverb:

“Remédio para doido é um outro doido e meio.”

(Translation: The remedy for a crazy person is another half-crazy person.)

This suggests that sometimes unconventional solutions or bold actions, albeit slightly ‘unusual,’ may be required to address deep-rooted issues. It’s a call to challenge the status quo with creativity and a willingness to push boundaries, but always with the ultimate aim of restoring balance and fairness.

Both proverbs offer valuable insight: we must confront these issues thoughtfully and strategically, but also with the courage to push for change, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. Only then can we begin to build the strong, ethical institutions that our societies desperately need.

Let’s delve deeper into the Brazilian proverb “Remédio para doido é um outro doido e meio” and explore its connection to psychiatric medicine, particularly from a psychological and pharmacological perspective.

The proverb “Remédio para doido é um outro doido e meio” roughly translates to “The remedy for a crazy person is another half-crazy person.” This suggests that sometimes, dealing with complex or seemingly irrational problems may require unconventional, sometimes radical approaches. It implies that to understand or solve certain deeply ingrained issues, one may need to think outside the box or approach the situation in a less conventional manner, akin to using an alternative form of logic or problem-solving.

When we view this proverb through the lens of psychiatry, the analogy takes on an interesting layer of meaning. Psychiatric medications, also known as psychopharmaceuticals or psychotropic drugs, are chemical substances that act on the central nervous system to alter the perception, emotions, and behaviours of individuals suffering from mental health disorders. These medications are used to treat a range of symptoms associated with mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression.

In the case of schizophrenia, for example, individuals often experience psychosis—a condition marked by distorted thoughts, hallucinations, or delusions. Antipsychotic medications like clozapine are considered highly effective in managing these symptoms. Clozapine, specifically, is one of the most potent antipsychotic medications available today, often used when other treatments have failed. It works by altering the brain’s chemical balance, specifically targeting neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which play key roles in mood regulation and perception.

The idea of a “half-crazy” person as a remedy could symbolise how, in treating psychiatric disorders, the approach often involves challenging the mind’s perceptions and reestablishing a sense of balance. It’s not about simply eradicating symptoms but recalibrating the mind’s way of processing and interpreting reality. Just as the proverb suggests using something unconventional or extreme to address extreme situations, psychiatry sometimes uses medications that alter the chemical functioning of the brain, helping individuals regain a grip on reality, even if the process seems complex or counterintuitive.

Interestingly, psychiatric treatments like clozapine often help patients “disconnect” from their symptoms—such as delusions and hallucinations—thereby allowing them to function in a more grounded way in society. This mirrors the notion of using a radical or seemingly paradoxical approach to solve a problem.

However, the true medicine in this context, both literal and metaphorical, involves compassion and understanding. Just as the proverb suggests an unconventional remedy, in psychiatry, treating the mind often requires deep empathy and thoughtful intervention, acknowledging that the solutions may not always be straightforward or “normal.” It’s a reminder that mental health treatments are not about isolating the individual but about working with them to restore balance and bring a more harmonious state of mind.

This proverb, when viewed alongside psychiatric treatments, reinforces the idea that to address deep-rooted issues—whether psychological or institutional—sometimes requires an unexpected, but ultimately restorative, approach. Just as clozapine works within the brain’s complex networks to correct imbalances, unconventional methods—though sometimes “half-crazy”—may indeed be the very thing that brings lasting change and healing, whether in individual minds or the structures of institutions.

In conclusion, while these proverbs might initially seem paradoxical or humorous, they reflect a deeper wisdom: when faced with complex, ingrained issues—whether in mental health or societal systems—sometimes unconventional methods are needed to spark genuine transformation and healing. The challenge is not to dismiss the unusual approach but to understand its potential to bring balance where there was once imbalance, and, ultimately, to restore sanity to what seemed chaotic.

 "Silence is the best answer for negative people" means that when faced with negativity from someone, choosing not to respond or engage with them is often the most effective way to handle the situation, as it avoids further conflict, preserves your energy, and can sometimes even send a powerful message of disapproval without saying a word.