A Little Bit of Anything
“A duel in the form of a debate. The clash of arguments and jar of words, Worse than the mortal brunt of rival swords, Decide no question with their tedious length, For opposition gives opinion strength.” — William Cowper, Conversation
“Every time you assume that others will be swayed by your logical argument, you’ve most likely made a significant, irrational mistake.” — Seth Godin, The rationality paradox
“In most debates, people seem to be trying to convince one another; but all they can hope for is new arguments to convince themselves.” — Nassim Taleb, The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms
“You’ve lost the argument or the debate as soon as it gets personal because now you don’t have facts to hold onto anymore.” — Scott Stratten, “Unmarketing” (Episode 389), The Art of Charm
“He argues best who never contradicts.” — Edward Owings Towne, Aphorisms of the Three Threes
“Reasoning will never make a man correct an ill opinion, which by reasoning he never acquired.” — Jonathan Swift, Letter to a Young Clergyman (January 9, 1720)
“’My idea of an agreeable person,’ said Hugo Bohun, ‘is a person who agrees with me.’” — Benjamin Disraeli, Lothair
