Where we desire to be informed 'tis good to contest with men
above ourselves; but to confirm and establish read more

Where we desire to be informed 'tis good to contest with men
above ourselves; but to confirm and establish our opinions, 'tis
best to argue with judgments below our own, that the frequent
spoils and victories over their reasons may settle in ourselves
an esteem and confirmed opinion of our own.

It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in an argument.

It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in an argument.

The purely agitation attitude is not good enough for a detailed consideration of a subject.

The purely agitation attitude is not good enough for a detailed consideration of a subject.

I've heard old cunning stagers
Say, fools for arguments use wagers.

I've heard old cunning stagers
Say, fools for arguments use wagers.

If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.

If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.

Much might be said on both sides.

Much might be said on both sides.

It is more noble by silence to avoid an injury than by argument to overcome it.

It is more noble by silence to avoid an injury than by argument to overcome it.

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

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

A knock-down argument; 'tis but a word and a blow.

A knock-down argument; 'tis but a word and a blow.