Turning Down Dares

For some unexplained reason it is sometimes supposed to be embarrassing not to do what someone else dares us to do. But why should it be considered smart or courageous or commendable to do some stupid thing merely because some stupid person is willing to do it or dares us to do it? In the first place, as to physical performance, we must remember that what someone else dares us to do he may have long practiced doing, or he may have some special talent or ability to perform with reasonable safety or assurance what could result in almost certain failure or embarrassment or disaster for us. But there are many kinds of dares besides those involving difficult physical feats. And when we are dared to do things, we must remember that the darer’s standards may not be safe standards. What he dares us to do may seem all right to him, but may not be right. And it may be that he who dares us has already slipped and wants company in his misery or in his failure. Some people like to pull other people down⎯and that is why dares are often dangerous. Those who urge others into hazardous or compromising situations don’t always say “I dare you” in so many words. There are other ways of saying the same thing. Sometimes they merely say: “Come on, be a good sport.” But is it being a good sport to urge others to do what they feel they couldn’t or shouldn’t do? Sometimes they say: “Everyone is doing it.” Everyone isn’t “doing it,” but even if everyone were, that wouldn’t be reason enough for us to do what we have good reason for not doing. They may resort to ridicule. But what it a little ridicule compared with compromising principles or losing self-respect? To suffer a little passing embarrassment is so much better than being forever sorry for doing something that cannot be undone. And anyone who has his share of good sense will never hesitate to look a dare in the face and turn it down⎯if it is a dare to do something that shouldn’t be done or that would be uselessly dangerous to do. Perhaps there will always be false friends and foolish people to dare others to do what shouldn’t be done. But why should it be considered smart or courageous to do some stupid thing that no one in his right mind would choose to do, just because some stupid or designing person dares us to do it!