In a heated argument we are apt to lose sight of the truth.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
A knock-down argument; ’tis but a word and a blow.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
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
Arguments out of a pretty mouth are unanswerable.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Atheism leaves a man to sense, to philosophy, to natural piety, to laws, to reputation, all which may be guides to an outward moral virtue, though religion were not; but superstition dismounts all these, and erects an absolute monarchy in the minds of men…the master of superstition is the people; and arguments are fitted to practice, in a reverse order
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Before you have an argument with your boss, you’d better take a good look at both sides—his side & the outside.
—Indian Proverb
When you let someone else win an argument, often you both end up winners.
—Richard Carlson (1912–77) American Actor, TV Personality, Film Director, Screenwriter
Whenever two good people argue over principles, they are both right.
—Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1830–1916) Austrian Novelist
I’ve heard old cunning stagers Say, fools for arguments use wagers.
—Samuel Butler
Many can argue; not many converse
—Amos Bronson Alcott (1799–1888) American Teacher, Writer, Philosopher
Jokes of the proper kind, properly told, can do more to enlighten questions of politics, philosophy, and literature than any number of dull arguments.
—Isaac Asimov (1920–92) Russian-born American Writer, Scientist
When you have no basis for an argument, abuse the plaintiff.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
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
The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
The sounder your argument, the more satisfaction you get out of it.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
Fallacious and misleading arguments are most easily detected if set out in correct syllogistic form
—Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) Prussian German Philosopher, Logician
Even if the committee carried the message in the exact words with no words missing, but left out the persuasion of gesture, the supplicating tone, and the beseeching looks which inform the words and give them life, where then were the power of the arguments and whom would it convince
—Joan of Arc (c.1412–31) French National Heroine
You get out of an argument exactly what you put into it—a lot of hot air.
—Unknown
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
It is better to discuss things, to argue and engage in polemics than make perfidious plans of mutual destruction.
—Mikhail Gorbachev (1931–2022) Soviet Head of State
Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; an argument an exchange of ignorance.
—Robert Quillen (1887–1948) American Journalist, Humorist
Silence is argument carried on by other means.
—Che Guevara (1928–67) Argentine-Cuban Revolutionary
In an argument the best weapon to hold is your tongue.
—Indian Proverb
Arguments are extremely vulgar, for everyone in good society holds exactly the same opinion.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
The argument is at an end.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
The only people who really listen to an argument are the neighbours.
—Indian Proverb
Put the argument into a concrete shape, into an image, some hard phrase, round and solid as a ball, which they can see and handle and carry home with them, and the cause is half won.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
A husband & wife in Montana make it a point not to argue over anything not worth arguing about. Of course, this leads to some dandy fights over whether or not a subject is worthwhile.
—Indian Proverb
The most agreeable thing in life is worthy accomplishment. It is not possible that the idle tramp is as contented as the farmers along the road who own their own farms, and whose credit is good at the bank in town. When the tramps get together at night, they abuse the farmers, but do not get as much satisfaction out of it as do the farmers who abuse the tramps. The sounder your argument, the more satisfaction you get out of it.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red berries in a cup
—Wendell Berry (b.1934) American Poet, Novelist, Environmentalist
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