The first duty of a wise advocate is to convince his opponents that he understands their arguments, and sympathises with their just feelings.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
Heat and animosity, contest and conflict, may sharpen the wits, although they rarely do; they never strengthen the understanding, clear the perspicacity, guide the judgment, or improve the heart.
—Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) English Writer, Poet
One often contradicts an opinion when what is uncongenial is really the tone in which it was conveyed.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Quarrels would not last so long if the fault lay only on one side.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
There is no point in arguing about matters of taste.
—Unknown
Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
Wise men argue cases, fools decide them.
—Anacharsis (fl.6th century BCE) Scythian Prince
The purely agitation attitude is not good enough for a detailed consideration of a subject.
—Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964) Indian Head of State
How beggarly appear arguments before a defiant deed!
—Walt Whitman (1819–92) American Poet, Essayist, Journalist
There is no arguing with him, for if his pistol misses fire, he knocks you down with the butt end of it.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Rebuke with soft words and hard arguments.
—Common Proverb
There’s nothing I like less than bad arguments for a view I hold dear.
—Daniel C. Dennett (b.1942) American Philosopher, Atheist, Author
It takes two to quarrel, but only one to end it.
—Spanish Proverb
In the course of my observation, the disputing, contradicting and confuting people are generally unfortunate in their affairs. They get victory sometimes, but they never get good will, which would be of more use to them.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Behind every argument is someone’s ignorance.
—Louis Brandeis (1856–1941) American Jurist
An ill argument introduced with deference will procure more credit than the profoundest science with a rough, insolent, and noisy management.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
The sounder your argument, the more satisfaction you get out of it.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
In a false quarrel there is no true valor.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Nothing is more certain than that much of the force as well as grace of arguments, as well as of instructions, depends on their conciseness.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
When two quarrel, both are in the wrong.
—Unknown
Two dogs strive for a bone and the third one runs off with it.
—Common Proverb
Argument is conclusive… but… it does not remove doubt, so that the mind may rest in the sure knowledge of the truth, unless it finds it by the method of experiment. For if any man who never saw fire proved by satisfactory arguments that fire burns. his hearer’s mind would never be satisfied, nor would he avoid the fire until he put his hand in it that he might learn by experiment what argument taught.
—Roger Bacon (1214–94) English Philosopher, Scientist
It is the briefest yet wisest maxim which tells us to “meddle not”.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Men’s arguments often prove nothing but their wishes.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Prejudices are rarely overcome by argument; not being founded in reason they cannot be destroyed by logic.
—Tryon Edwards (1809–94) American Theologian, Author
It is an excellent rule to be observed in all discussions, that men should give soft words and hard arguments; that they should not so much strive to silence or vex, as to convince their opponents.
—John Wilkins (1614–72) British Clergyman, Natural Philosopher
I had a lover’s quarrel with the world.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
When you have no basis for an argument, abuse the plaintiff.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
But curb thou the high spirit in thy breast, for gentle ways are best, and keep aloof from sharp contentions.
—Homer (751–651 BCE) Ancient Greek Poet
Arguments are like fire-arms which a man may keep at home but should not carry about with him.
—Samuel Butler (1835–1902) British Victorian Novelist, Essayist, Critic
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