Myself when young did eagerly frequent
Doctor and Saint, and heard great argument
About it and about: read more

Myself when young did eagerly frequent
Doctor and Saint, and heard great argument
About it and about: but evermore
Came out by the same door wherein I went.

'Twas blow for blow, disputing inch by inch,
For one would not retreat, nor t'other flinch.

'Twas blow for blow, disputing inch by inch,
For one would not retreat, nor t'other flinch.

Debate is the death of conversation.

Debate is the death of conversation.

When Bishop Berkeley said "there was no matter."
And proved it--'t was no matter what he said.

When Bishop Berkeley said "there was no matter."
And proved it--'t was no matter what he said.

The daughter of debate
That still discord doth sow.

The daughter of debate
That still discord doth sow.

Where we desire to be informed 'tis good to contest with men
above ourselves; but to confirm and establish read more

Where we desire to be informed 'tis good to contest with men
above ourselves; but to confirm and establish our opinions, 'tis
best to argue with judgments below our own, that the frequent
spoils and victories over their reasons may settle in ourselves
an esteem and confirmed opinion of our own.

Silence is argument carried on by other means.

Silence is argument carried on by other means.

Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause.

Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause.

You punch me, I punch back. I do not believe it's good for ones self-respect to be a punching bag.

You punch me, I punch back. I do not believe it's good for ones self-respect to be a punching bag.