Debate is the death of conversation.

Debate is the death of conversation.

Whatever Sceptic could inquire for,
For every why he had a wherefore.

Whatever Sceptic could inquire for,
For every why he had a wherefore.

'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.

A half truth, like half a brick, is always more forcible as an argument than a whole one. It carries read more

A half truth, like half a brick, is always more forcible as an argument than a whole one. It carries better.

The best argument is that which seems merely an explanation.

The best argument is that which seems merely an explanation.

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

The sounder your argument, the more satisfaction you get out of it.

The sounder your argument, the more satisfaction you get out of it.

When a thing is said to be not worth refuting you may be sure that either it is flagrantly stupid read more

When a thing is said to be not worth refuting you may be sure that either it is flagrantly stupid -- in which case all comment is superfluous -- or it is something formidable, the very crux of the problem.

He'd undertake to prove, by force
Of argument, a man's no horse.
He'd prove a buzzard is read more

He'd undertake to prove, by force
Of argument, a man's no horse.
He'd prove a buzzard is no fowl,
And that a Lord may be an owl,
A calf an Alderman, a goose a Justice,
And rooks, Committee-men or Trustees.