Dealing with a nasty remark

I read a new way of how to respond  if anyone says something unkind or unpleasant.

You memorise a proverb and instead of defending yourself from what they said you say:

Many hands make light work

A stitch in time saves  nine.

Or you could say anything as long as it is  unrelated to what they said and is undefensive

The idea seems to be that it will throw them off track.I’ve not tried it as yet but will report of I do.Fortunately I don’t often come  into contact with very nasty people much.It might be useful on the bus as sometimes people are rude there.