Motivational Quotes

Argument

We must not contradict, but instruct him that contradicts us; for a madman is not cured by another running mad also.

- Antisthenes

Best Quotes about Argument

An association of men who will not quarrel with one another is a thing which has never yet existed, from the greatest confederacy of nations down to a town meeting or a vestry.

Jefferson, Thomas

You punch me, I punch back. I do not believe it's good for ones self-respect to be a punching bag.

Koch, Edward

When you have no basis for an argument, abuse the plaintiff.

Cicero, Marcus T.

Whenever you argue with another wiser than yourself in order that others may admire your wisdom, they will discover your ignorance.

Saadi

In a heated argument we are apt to lose sight of the truth.

Publilius Syrus

The argument is at an end.

Saint Augustine

Most of the arguments to which I am party fall somewhat short of being impressive, knowing to the fact that neither I nor my opponent knows what we are talking about

Benchley, Robert

There are two things which cannot be attacked in front: ignorance and narrow-mindedness. They can only be shaken by the simple development of the contrary qualities. They will not bear discussion.

Acton, Lord

Wise men argue cases, fools decide them.

Anacharsis

10.

The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.

Joubert, Joseph

11.

If you go in for argument, take care of your temper. Your logic, if you have any, will take care of itself.

Joseph Farrell

12.

The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments.

Friedrich Nietzsche

13.

It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them.

Pierre Beaumarchais

14.

It was completely fruitless to quarrel with the world, whereas the quarrel with oneself was occasionally fruitful and always, she had to admit, interesting.

Sarton, May

15.

I tell you Wellington is a bad general, the English are bad soldiers; we will settle this matter by lunch time.

Bonaparte, Napoleon

16.

In argument similes are like songs in love; they describe much, but prove nothing.

Prior, Matthew

17.

Behind every argument is someone's ignorance.

Louis D. Brandeis

18.

Argument, as usually managed, is the worst sort of conversation, as in books it is generally the worst sort of reading.

Swift, Jonathan

19.

Soft words win hard hearts.

Proverb

20.

The long term versus the short term argument is one used by losers.

Adler, Larry

21.

The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the right.

Hailsham, Lord Quintin Hogg

22.

The thing I hate about an argument is that it always interrupts a discussion.

G. K. Chesterton

23.

A sure way of getting the last word in an argument is to say you right.

24.

Hear one side and you will be in the dark. Hear both and all will be clear.

Haliburton, Thomas C.

25.

Never argue at the dinner table, for the one who is not hungry always gets the best of the argument.

Whately, Richard

26.

I had a lovers quarrel with the world.

Frost, Robert

27.

It takes two to quarrel, but only one to end it.

Proverb, Spanish

28.

Concerning God, freewill and destiny: Of all that earth has been or yet may be, all that vain men imagine or believe, or hope can paint or suffering may achieve, we descanted.

Shelley, Percy Bysshe

29.

He who strikes the first blow admits he's lost the argument.

Chinese Proverb

30.

No matter what side of the argument you are on, you always find people on your side that you wish were on the other.

Jascha Heifetz

31.

Weak arguments are often thrust before my path; but although they are most insubstantial, it is not easy to destroy them. There is not a more difficult feat known than to cut through a cushion with a sword.

Whately, Richard

32.

The Argument from Intimidation is a confession of intellectual impotence.

Ayn Rand

33.

True disputants are like true sportsman: their whole delight is in the pursuit.

Pope, Alexander

34.

It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle it without debate.

Joubert, Joseph

35.

We are not won by arguments that we can analyze, but by tone and temper; by the manner, which is the man himself.

Butler, Samuel

36.

The sounder your argument, the more satisfaction you get out of it.

Howe, Edgar Watson

37.

Soft words are hard arguments.

Fuller, Thomas

38.

The difficult part in an argument is not to defend one's opinion, but rather to know it.

Maurois, Andre

39.

Never contend with one that is foolish, proud, positive, testy, or with a superior, or a clown, in matter of argument.

Fuller, Thomas

40.

An argument is like a country road, you never know where it is going to lead.

41.

With reasonable men I will reason; with humane men I will plea; but to tyrants I will give no quarter, nor waste arguments where they will certainly be lost.

William Lloyd Garrison

42.

I will name you the degrees. The first, the Retort Courteous; the second, the Quip Modest; the third, the Reply Churlish; the fourth, the Reproof Valiant; the fifth, the Countercheck Quarrelsome; the sixth, the Lie with Circumstance; the seventh, the Lie Direct.

Shakespeare, William

43.

Most quarrels amplify a misunderstanding.

Gide, Andre

44.

Debate is the death of conversation.

Ludwig, Emil

45.

Two dogs strive for a bone and the third one runs off with it.

Proverb

46.

We must not contradict, but instruct him that contradicts us; for a madman is not cured by another running mad also.

Antisthenes

47.

That's the beauty of argument-if you argue correctly, you're never wrong.

Jason Reitman and Christopher Buckly

48.

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.

Bacon, Roger

49.

If you argue with a woman and win, you lose.

50.

Those 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.

Franklin, Benjamin