This site is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Alan William Smolowe who gave birth to the creation of this database.
Robert Quillen, fully Verni Robert Quillen
Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument is an exchange of ignorance.
Argument | Discussion | Ignorance | Knowledge |
Bertrand Russell, fully Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell
The fundamental argument for freedom of opinion is the doubtfulness of all our beliefs. If we certainly knew the truth, there would be something to be said for teaching it. But in that case it could be taught without invoking authority, by means of its inherent reasonableness.
William Enfield, aka "The Enquirer"
The system of morality which Socrates made it the business of his life to teach was raised upon the firm basis of religion. The first principles of virtuous conduct which are common to all mankind are, according to this excellent moralist, laws of God; and the conclusive argument by which he supports this opinion is, that no man departs from these principles with impunity.
Argument | Business | Conduct | Life | Life | Man | Mankind | Morality | Opinion | Principles | System | Teach | Business |
It is more noble by silence to avoid an injury than by argument to overcome it.
Gilbert Keith "G.K." Chesteron
The thing I hate about an argument is that it always interrupts a discussion.
John Tillotson, Archbishop of Canterbury
To be able to bear provocation is an argument of great reason, and to forgive it of a great mind.
John Tillotson, Archbishop of Canterbury
In matters of great concern, and which must be done, there is no surer argument of a weak mind than irresolution - to be undetermined where the case is plain, and the necessity urgent. To be always intending to live a new life, but never to find time to set about it, this is as if a man should put off eating, drinking, and sleeping, from one day and night to another, till he is starved and destroyed.
Argument | Day | Irresolution | Man | Mind | Necessity | Time |
The crime of mass forced schooling is this: it amputates the full argument and replaces it with engineered consensus.
John Dalberg-Acton, Lord Acton, fully John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton
Political economy cannot be supreme arbiter in politics. Else you might defend slavery where it is economically sound and reject it where the economic argument applies against it.
Talk about the flag or drugs or crime (never about race or class or justice) and follow the yellow brick road to the wonderful land of ''consensus.'' In place of honest argument among consenting adults the politicians substitute a lullaby for frightened children: the pretense that conflict doesn't really exist, that we have achieved the blessed state in which we no longer need politics.
Thomas Erskine, Lord Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine
Let reason be opposed to reason, and argument to argument, and every good government will be safe.
Argument | Good | Government | Reason | Will | Government |
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.
No one can persuade another to change. Each of us guards a gate of change that can only be opened from the inside. We cannot open the gate of another, either by argument or by emotional appeal.
I have no argument with those who see in organized religion a template or an imperative to live life according to a prescribed set of beliefs. Just give others the room, within the laws of civil society, to believe or not believe whatever they like.