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.

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.

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.

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.

There is no good in arguing with the inevitable. The only
argument available with an east wind is to read more

There is no good in arguing with the inevitable. The only
argument available with an east wind is to put on your overcoat.

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

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

Nay, if he take you in hand, sir, with an argument,
He'll bray you in a mortar.

Nay, if he take you in hand, sir, with an argument,
He'll bray you in a mortar.

I always admired Mrs. Grote's saying that politics and theology
were the only two really great subjects.

I always admired Mrs. Grote's saying that politics and theology
were the only two really great subjects.

The best argument is that which seems merely an explanation.

The best argument is that which seems merely an explanation.