In arguing one should meet serious pleading with humor, and humor
with serious pleading.

In arguing one should meet serious pleading with humor, and humor
with serious pleading.

In arguing, too, the parson own'd his skill,
For even though vanquished he could argue still.

In arguing, too, the parson own'd his skill,
For even though vanquished he could argue still.

The brilliant chief, irregularly great,
Frank, haughty, rash--the Rupert of debate.

The brilliant chief, irregularly great,
Frank, haughty, rash--the Rupert of debate.

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

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

Nay, if he take you in hand, sir, with an argument,
He'll bray you in a mortar.

Nay, if he take you in hand, sir, with an argument,
He'll bray you in a mortar.

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.

I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an
understanding.

I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an
understanding.

The difficult part in an argument is not to defend one's opinion but rather to know it.

The difficult part in an argument is not to defend one's opinion but rather to know it.

Be calm in arguing; for fierceness makes
Error a fault, and truth discourtesy.

Be calm in arguing; for fierceness makes
Error a fault, and truth discourtesy.