"هرگز با خوک‌ها کشتی نگیرید. هر دو کثیف می‌شوید و خوک از آن لذت می‌برد"

You know that feeling when someone is just itching for a fight, and you’re caught in the crossfire? That’s what this saying is all about. Essentially, it’s a warning against engaging in needless arguments or conflicts with people who thrive on chaos. In simpler terms, if you argue with someone who loves to argue, you'll only end up wasting your energy and getting dragged down to their level.

Think about it like this: You’re at work and there’s this one colleague who’s always negative. No matter what you say, they twist your words and keep the drama going. Engaging with them can quickly turn into a never-ending battle of wits, leaving you exhausted and frustrated. Meanwhile, they seem to enjoy it, almost feeding off the conflict.

Historically, this idea has been around forever. Take a look at the ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus. He talked about not spending energy on things outside your control, which is pretty much the same wisdom. If you think about modern scenarios, remember the countless times on social media where someone’s tried to argue with a troll. Nine times out of ten, it ends up in a messy comment war, and the troll? They’re absolutely loving it.

Here's a real-life example. Imagine Sarah, a marketing manager at a bustling agency. She’s sharp, efficient, and loves her job. But there’s Mark, a coworker who loves stirring the pot. He’s constantly nitpicking everyone’s work, including Sarah’s. One day, after a particularly good presentation, Mark starts criticizing her approach in a snarky, unconstructive way. Sarah feels her temper rising, and she’s ready to defend her work. But then she remembers this piece of advice. Instead of diving into a heated exchange, she calmly says, “Thanks for your input, Mark,” and walks away. Mark’s left with no fuel for his fire, and Sarah? She’s free to focus on more important things.

So how can you apply this wisdom in your life? First, recognize the 'pigs' in your own world. These are the people who seem to thrive on conflict and drama. When you see them trying to pull you into their mess, take a step back. Ask yourself, is this worth my time and energy? More often than not, the answer will be no. Instead, focus on constructive conversations and let go of the rest. It’s all about keeping your cool and not getting pulled into unnecessary battles.

Picture this scenario: You’re at a family dinner. Your uncle, who loves politics, starts throwing out controversial statements, clearly hoping for a debate. You feel your blood pressure rising, ready to set him straight. But then, you take a deep breath, smile, and steer the conversation to something lighter, like your latest holiday plans or a new movie you’ve seen. Your uncle might be a bit disappointed, but you’ve saved yourself a headache—and probably the rest of the family too.

In the end, it’s all about picking your battles. You don’t need to engage every time someone tries to provoke you. Save your energy for the things—and people—that truly matter. Life’s too short to spend it wrestling with pigs.