let go of the bait stick

Blog piece from Larry Ollison "Offense is the Devil's Bait". Holding onto being offended can get you killed: 

"The natives placed a cage in the jungle containing a bait stick that the monkeys desperately wanted. As the monkeys approached the cage, they saw the bait inside and reached through the bars of the cage to grab it. However, as long as their fists were gripped around the bait stick, they could not pull their hands out of the cage. Although the animals could have been set free from the trap, they desired the bait so badly, they refused to let go of the stick, making their seizure effortless for the locals. When the natives approached with their clubs, the monkeys began jumping up and down and violently squealing, still unwilling to release the bait."