I tell you Wellington is a bad general, the English are bad soldiers; we will settle this matter by lunch time.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
A lot of good arguments are spoiled by some fool who knows what he is talking about.
—Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936) Spanish Educator, Philosopher, Author
Soft words win hard hearts.
—Common Proverb
In a false quarrel there is no true valor.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
An argument is like a country road, you never know where it is going to lead.
—Unknown
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
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) English Anglican Clergyman, Author, Administrator
It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them.
—Pierre Beaumarchais (1732–99) French Inventor, Diplomat, Musician, Fugitive, Revolutionary
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
I had a lover’s quarrel with the world.
—Robert Frost (1874–1963) American Poet
Behind every argument is someone’s ignorance.
—Louis Brandeis (1856–1941) American Jurist
The argument of the strongest is always the best.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
True disputants are like true sportsman: their whole delight is in the pursuit.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
If I were to deliver up my whole self to the arbitrament of special pleaders, today I might be argued into an atheist, and tomorrow into a pickpocket.
—Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (1803–73) British Novelist, Poet, Politician
It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
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
When much dispute has past, we find our tenets just the same as last.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Fear not those who argue but those who dodge.
—Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1830–1916) Austrian Novelist
Quarrels often arise in marriages when the bridal gifts are excessive.
—Ausonius (c.309–392 CE) Latin Poet, Rhetorician
The soundest argument will produce no more conviction in an empty head than the most superficial declamation; a feather and a guinea fall with equal velocity in a vacuum.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
The sounder your argument, the more satisfaction you get out of it.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
Arguments are like fire-arms which a man may keep at home but should not carry about with him.
—Samuel Butler
It is the briefest yet wisest maxim which tells us to “meddle not”.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Myself when young did eagerly frequent doctor and saint, and heard great argument about it and about: but evermore came out by the same door as in I went.
—Omar Khayyam (1048–1123) Persian Mathematician
Weakness on both sides is the motto of all quarrels.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Prejudices are rarely overcome by argument; not being founded in reason they cannot be destroyed by logic.
—Tryon Edwards American Theologian
Never contend with one that is foolish, proud, positive, testy, or with a superior, or a clown, in matter of argument.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
The difficult part in an argument is not to defend one’s opinion, but rather to know it.
—Andre Maurois (1885–1967) French Novelist, Biographer
Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar, and often convincing.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright