Q:I received two very similar jackets for Christmas from my wife and from my mother. They were quite expensive and I'd like to return one, but I'm afraid of offending either of them. What should I do?
Anonymous
As you are no doubt aware, there are two historically divergent paths to follow in this situation.
You may follow what we loosely term a Confucian path to harmony, where the son shall obey parents, and the wife her husband. Or you may tread the Hebrew path, in which a man is instructed to leave his mother, and cleave to his wife.
To find your own way, if you are not already predisposed to one system of beliefs over the other, we advise you to ask your wife which one looks best on you.
—Shallow Sage
Near-wisdom from the ages.
Because people never change.
