Quotes on Argument
A man never tells you anything until you contradict him.
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Anglo-Irish playwright, critic
One often contradicts an opinion when what is uncongenial is really the tone in which it was conveyed.
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) German philosopher
You raise your voice when you should reinforce your argument.
Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English author, lexicographer
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.
John, Lord Morley (1838-1923) English writer, Liberal politician
Arguments are to be avoided: they are always vulgar and often convincing.
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Anglo-Irish author
To gain one’s way is no escape from the responsibility for an inferior solution.
Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British statesman, writer
Persons of good sense, I have since observed, seldom fall into disputation, except lawyers, university men, and men of all sorts that have been bred at Edinburgh.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, writer
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
Antonio, The Merchant of Venice William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist, poet
Arguments out of a pretty mouth are unanswerable.
Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist
If you wish to win a man’s heart, allow him to confute you.
Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) English prime minister
A woman who is confuted is never convinced.
J. Churton Collins (1848-1908) English author, critic, scholar
The only argument available with an east wind is to put on your overcoat.
James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) American poet, editor
Between friends differences in taste or opinion are irritating in direct proportion to their triviality.
W. H. Auden (1907-1973) Anglo-American poet
There are three sides to every question: your side, his side, and to hell with it.
anonymous, 20th century