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I am not the first. 
To some I am the second. 
To others I am the third. 
But I'm never the fourth.

I am the first. 
I'm no help in "a way out." 
But I'm first in these words: "I", "don't", "know".

I can't be left alone. 
If I'm alone, I will offend someone. 
You can't make peace if you cut me off. 
But on the other hand, you might.

I was inspired by this riddle by Mello, so I wanna give him props.

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  • $\begingroup$ something about the letter "I" maybe? .. $\endgroup$
    – Adam
    Commented Oct 17, 2017 at 0:23
  • $\begingroup$ I can see what you mean, but I think the fist line rules a locational pattern out though. Here, I've modified the second section to be a little more clear. I'll add a hint later if that doesn't help. $\endgroup$
    – Hawkeye
    Commented Oct 17, 2017 at 0:54

2 Answers 2

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I think it's

Your middle finger

Reasoning:

It's either second or third, depending on if you start with the thumb or not. The second clue is where the middle finger falls when typing. The third clue - a middle finger alone is offensive, and if you cut off the middle finger on one hand, you can't make a peace sign, but then you can always make a peace sign with the other hand

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  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Welcome to Puzzling! I've taken the liberty to edit the post so that it is not completely spoilered. $\endgroup$
    – boboquack
    Commented Oct 17, 2017 at 2:24
  • $\begingroup$ Excellent! I'm marking yours as the answer because you got all the clues, specifically, the second clue. No one else got that one. =) $\endgroup$
    – Hawkeye
    Commented Oct 17, 2017 at 18:51
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You are:

my middle finger

I am not the first. To some I am the second. To others I am the third. But I'm never the fourth.

Counting from the index finger to pinky, the middle finger is the second. Counting from pinky to index, it is third. It will never be first or fourth (in a complete hand, anyway).

I am the first. I'm no help in "a way out." But I'm first in these words: "I", "don't", "know".

I missed this one entirely. See Matt's answer for the correct interpretation.

I can't be left alone. If I'm alone, I will offend someone.

The middle finger on its own is an insult.

You can't make peace if you cut me off.

The peace sign requires both the index and middle fingers.

But on the other hand, you might.

I believe this is just a pun on "hand".

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    $\begingroup$ Welcome to Puzzling! Why don't you take the tour? $\endgroup$
    – boboquack
    Commented Oct 17, 2017 at 2:22

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