But any divine mandate to be smart is superceded by the command to be loving. It is better to be good than to be right. We can act in ways that encourage growth. Such statements do not invite peaceful sharing. I miss doing things with you.
Love also sets people up for success.
If I know that Nancy likes time to think about decisions, rather than stand tapping my toe, pressing her for decisions and wondering why she doesn't learn how to make decisions, I will anticipate the need and will provide her time to reflect. While it is true that people must bear the painful consequences of unwise decisions, we need never rejoice at another's suffering. We can always offer the healing balm of understanding. A misbehaving family member may have sorrowful encounters with the law. When an elderly woman was asked at her fiftieth wedding anniversary what the secret of her long and happy marriage was, she responded that she had decided at their marriage to forgive her husband ten faults for the sake of their marriage.