Quote: Write with regret not outrage

When you write, write with regret, not outrage.

Spoken by David French in the Advisory Opinions podcast (actually a tricky episode for me but I’ll link it.

It was nice to hear this, as I have been writing my congressmen from a similar prospective. In the past when I would get upset about a particular political topic I would want to slam dunk, insult or catch the offender off guard. I probably wrote a few quick letters in this mind set but fortunately I never sent most of them. I’ve since pivoted to showing my sadness if I want to be persuasive. When something disappointing happens I try not to channel the wrath of God I wish for but rather humbly mourn it and make my feelings known. I think it is more productive.

In the podcast French continues to say (just for context):

“Number one, when you write with regret, you just sound more serious. It’s persuasive. It’s inherently persuasive.
If you write with outrage, it’s polemics. And you’re really going to be bringing on side only the people who already agreed with you. Everyone else is going to feel scorned or mocked or shamed, and they’re not going to necessarily appreciate that.”

From Advisory Opinions: Judge Gets Vulgar in Transgender Spa Case, Mar 17, 2026