> particularly in cases where it’s important to be authoritative. I think this is lens makes the advice clearer. "Don't explain yourself" or "use of authority

> particularly in cases where it’s important to be authoritative. I think this is lens makes the advice clearer. "Don't explain yourself" or "use of authority doesn't require explanation" smells gross because it's anti-egalitarian. (People are equal, how can one person have authority to an extent that explanation isn't needed/beneficial?). In a sense, "explaining things" is a way of showing you're not wielding authority over others, or open to suggestions. The frustrating situations described in the original post, since OP's mind isn't open to be changed, his advice is to 'wield authority': to say no to telemarketer, to his son asking for a kitten. Giving explanation while teaching shows that the reason what's being taught is true isn't just because the teacher is saying it.