The Idiot

Someone calls you an idiot. Then you start thinking, ‘How can they call me an idiot? They’ve got no right to call me an idiot! How rude to call me an idiot! I’ll get them back for calling me an idiot! And you suddenly realise that you have just let them call you an idiot another four times.

Every time you remember what they said, you allow them to call you an idiot. Therein lies the problem. If someone calls you an idiot and you immediately let it go, then it doesn’t bother you. There is the solution. Why allow other people to control your inner happiness?

from "Opening the Door of Your Heart"
(Ajahn Brahm)