Jack’s Winning Words  2/18/20 “Those who in quarrels interpose, must often wipe a bloody nose.” (Ben Franklin)  Recently I was given a book of old Ben’s quotes.  Some are sayings by others, but given a Franklin flavor.  At times I try to do something similar with Winning Words.  Take today for example…Have you noticed that if you intervene in a dispute, you may sometimes suffer a bloody nose, and perhaps the loss of a friendship.  But then, it may be a lot worse to sit by and do nothing.  ;-)  Jack FROM WILLMAR REV:  Is that where the old saying, “you can’t win for losing” comes from? 0;-)===JACK:  You CAN win by losing, if you stay consistent with your principals for good versus evil. FROM NORM'S BLOG:  Franklin was probably referring to those who stick their nose in where it doesn’t belong, or to those who jump into arguments seeking to be peacemakers. It often happens that the anger that was being vented between the arguing parties becomes refocused onto the peacemaker. We sometimes see on the nightly news that some would-be peacemaker in a street argument ends up being shot or injured by one of the parties to the argument.  While being a peacemaker is sometimes dangerous or difficult, it is a role to which we have been called. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)===JACK:  I feel guilty for being an observer on the sidelines (too often).  It's not that I fear a bloody nose.  I like to keep my options open to speak (for the the good) to both sides and be a conciliator. FROM RS IN TEXAS:  Blessed are the peacemakers.....bloody noses and all. ===JACK:  I'm a member of the Optimist Club, an organization in our community which works to try an effect a positive influence upon people.  Today's speaker for the group was from the ADL, the Anti-Defamation League...a group not afraid to get a bloody nose. FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Good manners, respect, compassion, personal integrity, and humility  will always be the hallmarks of a decent human being. I find these sadly lacking in our leadership at the White House! :-( And these days, in other places as well!===JACK:  Sadly, negative leadership affects the followers (the core).  That's why it's so important to have the right kind of leadership in any organization, including the family.