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Quotes about debate

72 quotes from 61 people

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A single fact will often spoil an interesting argument.
WFWilliam Feather1889–1981Featherisms (2008)
- Facts
In countries and epochs in which communication is impeded, soon all other liberties wither; discussion dies by inanition, ignorance of the opinion of others becomes rampant, imposed opinions triumph.
Primo Levi1919–1987The Drowned and the Saved (1986)
- Liberty
When a politician, on a subject implicating science — hard science, economic science, social science — says, ‘The debate is over,’ you may be sure of two things. It’s that the debate is raging and he’s losing it.
George Willborn 1941Discussion, Fox News Sunday, February 16, 2014
- Politics
- Science
If someone doesn’t value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn’t value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?
Sam Harrisborn 1967Sam Harris, “Is the Foundation of Morality Natural or Supernatural? – William Lane Craig vs. Sam Harris, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States – April 2011
- Thinking
At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.
Frederick Douglass1817–1895What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? (1852)
Elinor agreed to it all, for she did not think he deserved the compliment of rational opposition.
Jane Austen1775–1817Sense and Sensibility (1811), Chapter XXXVIIn context
- Clever Jabs
“To yield without conviction is no compliment to the understanding of either.”
Jane Austen1775–1817Pride and Prejudice (1813), Volume I, Chapter XIn context
If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.
John Stuart Mill1806–1873On Liberty (1859), Chapter II (1 of 2)In context
- Freedom
If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.
John Stuart Mill1806–1873On Liberty (1859), Chapter II (1 of 2)In context
- Truth & Lies
To refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.
John Stuart Mill1806–1873On Liberty (1859), Chapter II (1 of 2)In context
- Freedom
However unwillingly a person who has a strong opinion may admit the possibility that his opinion may be false, he ought to be moved by the consideration that however true it may be, if it is not fully, frequently, and fearlessly discussed, it will be held as a dead dogma, not a living truth.
John Stuart Mill1806–1873On Liberty (1859), Chapter II (1 of 2)In context
- Truth & Lies
In arguing too, the parson owned his skill,
For e’en tho’ vanquished, he could argue still;
While words of learned length, and thundering sound,
Amazed the gazing rustics ranged around;
And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew,
That one small head could carry all he knew.
Oliver Goldsmith1728–1774The Deserted Village (1770), The Deserted VillageIn context
- Education
- Knowledge