> I only discuss pros and cons with smart people; I don’t argue right and wrong with ego-driven ones.

There is a certain logic to this. If someone can't reason, there is no point in giving them the truth. You might as well lie to them.

Of course, your ability to assess someone's reasoning depends often on their existing opinions, so there is a circular reasoning here where two sides with the same mindset can each believe the other to be stupid because of their position, and then refuse to engage in good faith discussions.

I don't make a lot of friends this way, but I usually try to just focus on facts no matter what, and do my best to separate the fact that I'm discussing ideas and not people. An idea might be good or bad given a certain situation, but not the people involved.