Joking vs mockery, respect or disrespect?

[Mystic]

Perhaps I don't condemn foolishness as I should. Perhaps I am tolerant of it, because, I lived my life being foolish myself and don't want to condemn my past self.

I despise my past self. It makes me strive to be better. Not that I'm criticizing your past self you might have been a fantastic old you, even better than the you now. I doubt that considering the times I've found myself trying to give you rep.

I don't think withholding respect until it is earned is a bad thing. I also think it is fair to call somebody out when they are saying or doing something stupid or behaving in a less than desirable manner. Its up to them to deal with that criticism. I would always prefer that people are straight with me and tell me I'm being an idiot. That way I can sit back and give it some thought. If we don't know were screwing up how do we know to try fix it?

You bring excellent points. The thing is there is a compassionate/caring way of telling people. For example, when your parents criticize you, it can be harsh, but you can tell that it's out of caring.

For example, I told Jstrodel that there is a high chance he is mentally ill and is in denial from what I perceive. He didn't take as in insult or sensed malice, because of the way I stated it.

If you insult someone, it won't be taken as positive criticism. It will seen as malice in intent by the other party or at the very least disrespect.

Calling someone an idiot is a malicious way to insult somebody for not being as intelligent as you (at least from your perception of their intelligence and yours). It's a sign of arrogance and looks bad on the one stating it.

Perhaps we can say, "you are being foolish regarding this and that...".