Confidence is generally a good thing. Taken to an extreme, it becomes arrogance and an unwillingness to see the merits of the other side. “To be a flexible as a reed,” is an admonition from the Talmud.
Through the pitch black night, the captain sees a light dead ahead on a collision course with his ship. He sends a signal: “Change your course ten degrees east.”
The light signals back: “Change yours, ten degrees west.”
Angry, the captains sends: “I’m a Navy captain! Change your course, sir!”
“I’m a seaman, second class,” comes the reply. “Change your course, sir!”
Now the captain is furious. “I’m a battleship! I’m not changing course!”
There’s one last reply. “I’m a lighthouse. Your call.”
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