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

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

He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.

He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.

Reproachful speech from either side
The want of argument supplied;
They rail, reviled; as often ends
read more

Reproachful speech from either side
The want of argument supplied;
They rail, reviled; as often ends
The contests of disputing friends.

When a thing is said to be not worth refuting you may be sure that either it is flagrantly stupid read more

When a thing is said to be not worth refuting you may be sure that either it is flagrantly stupid -- in which case all comment is superfluous -- or it is something formidable, the very crux of the problem.

Myself when young did eagerly frequent
Doctor and Saint, and heard great argument
About it and about: read more

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 wherein I went.

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

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

Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute.

Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute.

In arguing, too, the parson own'd his skill,
For even though vanquished he could argue still.

In arguing, too, the parson own'd his skill,
For even though vanquished he could argue still.

A half truth, like half a brick, is always more forcible as an argument than a whole one. It carries read more

A half truth, like half a brick, is always more forcible as an argument than a whole one. It carries better.