~Other -- Lebanese proverb
Lower your voice and strengthen your argument. Other Authors and SourcesLebanese proverb
View ArticleGoldsmith, Oliver -- The Traveller: Or, A Prospect of Society (1764)
Every absurdity has now a champion to defend it: and as he is generally much in the wrong, so he has always much to say; for error is ever talkative. Oliver Goldsmith (1730-1774) Irish poet,...
View ArticleJohnson, Samuel -- (Spurious)
Prejudice, not being founded on reason, cannot be removed by argument. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic(Spurious) Frequently attributed without citation, and not found...
View ArticlePope, Alexander -- “Thoughts on Various Subjects” (1727)
What Tully said of war may be applied to disputing: “It should be always so managed as to remember that the only true end of it is peace.” But generally true disputants are like true sportsmen, — their...
View ArticleBurgh, James -- The Dignity of Human Nature, Sec. 5 “Miscellaneous Thoughts...
If you mean to make your side of the argument appear plausible, do not prejudice the people against what you think truth by your passionate manner of defending it. James Burgh (1714-1775) British...
View ArticlePitt, William the Elder -- Correspondence of William Pitt, vol 4 (1840) [ed....
An eagerness and zeal for dispute on every subject, and with every one, shows great self-sufficiency, that never-failing sign of great self-ignorance. William Pitt the Elder (1708-1778) British...
View ArticleRand, Ayn -- The Virtue of Selfishness (1964)
The Argument from Intimidation is a confession of intellectual impotence. Ayn Rand (1905-1982) Russian-American writer, philosopherThe Virtue of Selfishness (1964)
View ArticleBurgh, James -- The Dignity of Human Nature, Sec. 5 “Miscellaneous Thoughts...
In disputes upon moral or scientific points, ever let your aim be to come at truth, not to conquer your opponent: so you never shall be at a loss in losing the argument, and gaining a new discovery....
View ArticleStacy, Walter P -- State v. Beal, 199 N.C. 278 (1930)
It would be almost unbelievable, if history did not record the tragic fact that men have gone to war and cut each other’s throat because they could not agree as to what was to become of them after...
View ArticleTarkington, Booth -- Looking Forward to the Great Adventure (1926)
Arguments only confirm people in their own opinions. Booth Tarkington (1869-1946) American novelist and dramatist Looking Forward to the Great Adventure (1926)
View ArticleVauvenargues, Luc de -- Reflections and Maxims [Réflexions et maximes], # 31...
Our errors and our controversies, in the sphere of morality, arise sometimes from looking on men as though they could be altogether bad, or altogether good. [Nos erreurs et nos divisions dans la morale...
View ArticleVoltaire -- Philosophical Dictionary, “Sect” (1764) [tr. Gay (1962)]
This is the character of truth: it is of all time, it is for all men, it has only to show itself to be recognized, and one cannot argue against it. A long dispute means that both parties are wrong....
View ArticleKeillor, Garrison -- “The Old Scout,” The Writer’s Almanac (4 Oct 2005)
There is almost no marital problem that can’t be helped enormously by taking off your clothes. Garrison Keillor (b. 1942) American entertainer, author“The Old Scout,” The Writer’s Almanac (4 Oct 2005)
View ArticleMarcus Aurelius -- Meditations, 10:16 [tr. Staniforth (1964)]
Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one. Marcus Aurelius (121-180) Roman emperor (161-180), Stoic philosopherMeditations, 10:16 [tr. Staniforth (1964)]
View ArticleLocke, John -- An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Book 4, ch. 20, “Of...
Earthly minds, like mud walls, resist the strongest batteries: and though, perhaps, sometimes the force of a clear argument may make some impression, yet they nevertheless stand firm, and keep out the...
View ArticlePliny the Younger -- Letters, Book 1, Letter 20 [tr. Radice (1963)]
Another fine quotation from WIST - Wish I'd Said That! . Everyone is prejudiced in favor his own powers of discernment, and will always find an argument most convincing if it leads to the conclusion he...
View ArticleSwift, Jonathan -- “Letter to a Young Clergyman” (9 Jan 1720)
Reasoning will never make a man correct an ill opinion, which by reasoning he never acquired. Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) English writer and churchman“Letter to a Young Clergyman” (9 Jan 1720)
View ArticleRichardson, James -- Vectors: Aphorisms and Ten-Second Essays, # 20 (2001)
If a couple could see themselves twenty years later they might not recognize their love, but they would recognize their argument. James Richardson (b. 1950) American poetVectors: Aphorisms and...
View ArticleDe Officiis Ministrorum, ch. 5
To avoid dissensions we should ever be on our guard, more especially with those who drive us to argue with them, with those who vex and irritate us, and who say things likely to excite us to anger....
View ArticleThe Philanderer, Act 4 (1893)
Another fine quotation from WIST - Wish I'd Said That! . The test of a man or woman’s breeding is how they behave in a quarrel.
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