Two husbands thought they had something worth complaining about, but their wives had answers ready that neither would forget. After years of marriage, both men learned that sometimes the quickest way to win an argument is with one perfectly timed response.

One husband looked back at the early days of his marriage and compared them with their comfortable life today. They now had a $500,000 house, a $45,000 car, a proper bed, and a big television. Yet he still complained that his wife was no longer the young woman he had married. She calmly suggested that he find himself a 23-year-old girlfriend. However, she added that if he did, she would make sure he got back everything from their younger days: the cheap house, battered car, sofa bed, and tiny black-and-white television. Suddenly, his idea of going back in time didn’t sound so appealing.

Another older couple went camping and settled into their tent for the night. Hours later, the wife woke her husband and asked him to look at the sky and explain what the stars meant. He happily began discussing distant planets, the universe, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. After listening to his impressive explanation, his wife delivered a much simpler answer: “No, honey, it means that somebody stole our tent.”

Both stories prove that husbands may think they’re clever, but wives often notice what matters most. And sometimes, a few calm words can deliver a much bigger punch than a long argument.