"If a donkey bray at you, don't bray at him"

The quote by George Herbert, "If a donkey bray at you, don't bray at him," is a very basic yet effective message. It advises us to not respond to the unfavorable habits of others with equally unfavorable habits. Donkeys are understood for their loud and undesirable braying, which can be annoying to some. However, Herbert encourages us to withstand the urge to respond to the donkey's behavior in a similar way. This can be applied to all aspects of our lives, especially in situations where we are faced with rudeness or hostility. Rather of returning the negativeness, Herbert recommends that we respond with grace and generosity, which can quickly defuse tense circumstances.