You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.

You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into.

All extremes does perfect reason flee,
And wishes to be wise quite soberly.
[Fr., La parfaite raison read more

All extremes does perfect reason flee,
And wishes to be wise quite soberly.
[Fr., La parfaite raison fuit toute extremite,
Et veut que l'on soit sage avec sobriete.]

This is our chief bane, that we live not according to the light
of reason, but after the fashion read more

This is our chief bane, that we live not according to the light
of reason, but after the fashion of others.
[Lat., Id nobis maxime nocet, quod non ad rationis lumen sed ad
similitudinem aliorum vivimus.]

Two angels guide
The path of man, both aged and yet young.
As angels are, ripening through read more

Two angels guide
The path of man, both aged and yet young.
As angels are, ripening through endless years,
On one he leans: some call her Memory,
And some Tradition; and her voice is sweet,
With deep mysterious accords: the other,
Floating above, holds down a lamp with streams
A light divine and searching on the earth,
Compelling eyes and footsteps. Memory yields,
Yet clings with loving check, and shines anew,
Reflecting all the rays of that bright lamp
Our angel Reason holds. We had not walked
But for Tradition; we walk evermore
To higher paths by brightening Reason's lamp.

To give a reason for anything is to breed a doubt of it.

To give a reason for anything is to breed a doubt of it.

Eloquence may set fire to reason.

Eloquence may set fire to reason.

Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to admit it.

Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to admit it.

Subdue
By force, who reason for their law refuse,
Right reason for their law.

Subdue
By force, who reason for their law refuse,
Right reason for their law.

We love without reason, and without reason we hate.
[Fr., On aime sans raison, et sans raison l'on hait.]

We love without reason, and without reason we hate.
[Fr., On aime sans raison, et sans raison l'on hait.]