Tact is the knack of making a point without making an enemy.

The saying defines “tact” as a social skill: communicating a truth or criticism effectively while preserving the other person’s dignity and goodwill. It implies that persuasion is not only about being right, but about managing relationships and emotions so that the message can be heard. The aphorism also recognizes a practical reality of public and professional life—unvarnished bluntness can turn disagreement into personal hostility, undermining cooperation and future influence. As a maxim, it encourages strategic empathy: choosing tone, timing, and wording so that clarity does not become cruelty and honesty does not become needless antagonism.