Conversational caveat

Aware that when debate ensues and passions are ignited, intent and motives can sometimes be misconstrued or misunderstood I always like to echo Winston Churchill's reassuring words to Stanley Baldwin...

'I pray that my chaff did not vex you. My shafts, though necessarily pointed, are never intentionally poisoned. If they cut, I pray they do not fester in the wound.'

If the 'shaft' fits! Or should that be hits?!