'Words' of advice

[Cheshire]

Most people don't consider just how powerful or meaningful words can be. They'll say things without thinking about them, or purposefully to hurt someone. How petty can you get? I mean, I've done it myself, many times, and I know that it's petty, which is why I try to NOT say things to hurt people, or at LEAST reflect on the impact my words might have, because I know how much it can hurt when someone you care about who is supposed to care about you says something they KNOW will hurt you, and did it for just that purpose.... Anyways, my message is just this. Be careful.

[Oni]

Meowmix,
Sound Advise.

[Goman Fox]

There are times when certain things need to be said though, no matter how mean it may sound.

Personally, I prefer that someone be honest with me, even if it's blunt and possibly hurtful, rather than have them word things "nicely" to spare my feelings.  I prefer being upset with honestly than be happy and ignorant.  When I say I prefer people to be honest with me, I really mean it.   Not "I want people to tell me the truth unless it'll hurt me," or "I want the truth that I want to hear," or anything like that.  Just the straight-forward truth is what I want from people and nothing less.

Of course, this is coming from someone who doesn't often get hurt by words from others anymore, so maybe I'm weird.

[Rachael]

I agree with the OP.  Saying mean things with the sole purpose of making someone upset is a very cruel thing to do.  Duels used to be fought over that sort of thing.

I do understand that sometimes something needs to be said, and the truth may hurt, but one can usually soften the blow.  Like, instead of saying, "You're a selfish prick," you could say, "It's important to think about others sometimes."