The quietness of his tone italicized the malice of his reply.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Chekhov was capable of casually tossing off deplorable comments in his letters, combined with a very modern anger against anti-Semitism.
The injunction to be nice is used to deflect criticism and stifle the legitimate anger of dissent.
There are few circumstances which so strongly distinguish the philosopher, as the calmness with which he can reply to criticisms he may think undeservedly severe.
Silence may be as variously shaded as speech.
Somebody saying something offensive to you or insulting to you is not pleasant, but it's part of life.
It's one thing to say, 'I don't like what you said to me and I find it rude and offensive,' but the moment you threaten violence in return, you've taken it to another level, where you lose whatever credibility you had.
A remark generally hurts in proportion to its truth.
For my own part I think no innocent species of wit or pleasantry should be suppressed: and that a good pun may be admitted among the smaller excellencies of lively conversation.
If a writer doesn't generate hostility, he is dead.
To a poet, silence is an acceptable response, even a flattering one.