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bunkhead said:
Engaging with the asshole calling you an asshole is exactly what an asshole would do.

Not necessarily. It may well be ill-advised and a waste of time, but I don't think it makes you a bad person.

Tasty_power_move said:
Did I walk into a fucking war zone!?! Goddamn!!

I'd call it more of a minor internet argument.

Updated by AlsoSprachOdin

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AlsoSprachOdin said:

I think that was about politics as they were some time ago, not modern-day internet arguments.

Not sure what planet you're on, but that statement was never just about politics. Von Papen himself didn't invent it, and it applies to ANYONE that thinks they're above reproach, above the rules, and/or above the law. Period. It's as timely as even, especially in the internet era of 'echo chambers' that blocklist any dissent, political or otherwise (some people get a little too defensive with their fetishes, for example). Broaden your gaze, and you just might see the light.

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hotmakiroll said in comment #2569303:
that statement was never just about politics. Von Papen himself didn't invent it

Papen may not have been the first to come up with it, but it was about politics when he referred to it, and it can be made about politics any time someone wants to make it about politics. I certainly don't see why it couldn't.

hotmakiroll said:
it applies to ANYONE that thinks they're above reproach, above the rules, and/or above the law.

I think that's definitely applying it too broadly. Louis XIV, the "Sun King" was a very powerful monarch of his time and a very competent king, but as with a lot of kings of his time it was illegal for his subjects to insult him. if one of his subjects were caught calling him an asshole they might well be executed.
That's just one exception I can think of. Louis didn't tolerate being insulted, and he wasn't weak. Same with pretty much every Chinese emperor. In these cases it's not about weakness of character but of maintaining public fear/respect and thereby power. And if you would suggest this means the ruler's grip on power is weak and they are therefore a weakling, we can discuss the merits of the various means and ways of securing power, but at that point the saying is definitely about politics.

hotmakiroll said:
Broaden your gaze, and you just might see the light.

Dude, this is an argument about the exact meaning and merits of an old saying, not a matter of spiritual salvation. It's not like I don't think the saying has any merit, I just don't think it's always true or can't be applied incorrectly.

Updated by AlsoSprachOdin2