I was raised to believe that when someone insults you without merit, smile and thank them for bringing your shortcomings to your attention. When someone is outright rude, ignore them, without food they cannot continue. Even miserable people cannot get satisfaction by trying to bring you down to their level if you refuse to fall for it. Ignoring someone who is rude is the best punishment of all.

There is a saying, "If you want to prove you are intelligent, think of something nasty or stupid to say. "Then don't say it."

All his spirit is what a foolish man lets out. The wise man has his spirit under control.