Tact

[234 words] Tact is one of the lost arts of the twenty-first century. Someone has defined tact as the art of removing the stinger from the bee without getting stung. Harry Truman, put it this way, “Tact is the ability to step on a man’s toes without messing up the shine on his shoes.” At least that would be very tactful. The dictionary defines tact as “the ability to manage others with consideration for their feelings; and sympathetic understanding.” Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when he said, “Be ye wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). In a classic “Peanuts” comic, Charlie Brown is warned that all the girls are angry with him. The girls confront him with many complaints and then ask, “What have you got to say for yourself?” Rather than arguing, Charlie says, “Nothing. You girls are absolutely right, and I’m glad to hear…