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.

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

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

I am bound to furnish my antagonists with arguments, but not with
comprehension.

I am bound to furnish my antagonists with arguments, but not with
comprehension.

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

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

I find you want me to furnish you with argument and intellects
too. No, sir, these, I protest you, read more

I find you want me to furnish you with argument and intellects
too. No, sir, these, I protest you, are too hard for me.

He'd undertake to prove, by force
Of argument, a man's no horse.
He'd prove a buzzard is read more

He'd undertake to prove, by force
Of argument, a man's no horse.
He'd prove a buzzard is no fowl,
And that a Lord may be an owl,
A calf an Alderman, a goose a Justice,
And rooks, Committee-men or Trustees.

Be calm in arguing; for fierceness makes
Error a fault, and truth discourtesy.

Be calm in arguing; for fierceness makes
Error a fault, and truth discourtesy.

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.

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.