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Argument: Quotations from Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations
I love the people, But do not like to stage me to their eyes; Though it do well, I do not relish well Their loud applause, and Aves vehement; Nor do I think the man of safe discretion, That does affect it.— Shakespeare — Measure for Measure. Act I. Sc. 1. L. 68.
I would applaud thee to the very echo, That should applaud again.— Shakespeare — Macbeth. Act V. Sc. 3. L. 53.
They threw their caps As they would hang them on the horns o' the moon, Shouting their emulation.— Shakespeare — Coriolanus. Act I. Sc. 1. L. 216.
Much might be said on both sides.— ADDISON — Spectator. No. 122.
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.— SIR THOS. BROWNE — Religio Medici. Pt. I. VI.
And there began a lang digression About the lords o' the creation. S.— BURNS — The Twa Dogs.
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.— BUTLER — Hudibras. Pt. I. Canto I. L. 71.
I've heard old cunning stagers Say, fools for arguments use wagers.— BUTLER — Hudibras. Pt. II. Canto I. L. 297.
Whatever Sceptic could inquire for, For every why he had a wherefore.— BUTLER — Hudibras. Pt. I. Canto I. L. 131.
'Twas blow for blow, disputing inch by inch, For one would not retreat, nor t'other flinch.— BYRON — Don Juan. Canto VIII. St. 77.
When Bishop Berkeley said, "there was no matter," And proved it-'twas no matter what he said.— BYRON — Don Juan. Canto XI. St. I.
The noble lord is the Rupert of debate.— BENJ. DISRAELI — Speech. April, 1844.
A knock-down argument; 'tis but a word and a blow. C.— DRYDEN — Amphitryon. Act I. Sc. 1.
Reproachful speech from either side The want of argument supplied; They rail, reviled; as often ends The contests of disputing friends.— GAY — Fables. Ravens. Sexton and Earth Worm. Pt. II. L. 117.
His conduct still right with his argument wrong.— GOLDSMITH — Retaliation. L. 46.
In arguing, too, the parson own'd his skill, For even though vanquished he could argue still.— GOLDSMITH — The Deserted Village. L. 211.
Be calm in arguing; for fierceness makes Error a fault, and truth discourtesy.— HERBERT — Temple. Church Porch. St. 52.
I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.— SAM'L JOHNSON — Boswell's Life of
Johnson. 1784. Nay, if he take you in hand, sir, with an argument, He'll bray you in a mortar.— BEN JONSON — The Alchemist. Act II. Sc. 1.
There is no good in arguing with the inevitable. The only argument available with an east wind is to put on your overcoat.— LOWELL — Democracy and Other
Addresses. Democracy. The brilliant chief, irregularly great, Frank, haughty, rash, -the Rupert of debate.— BULWER LYTTON — The New Timon. Pt. 1. 1846.
In argument with men a woman ever Goes by the worse, whatever be her cause.— MILTON — Samson Agonistes. L. 903.
Like doctors thus, when much dispute has past, We find our tenets just the same at last.— POPE — Moral Essays. Epis. III. L. 15.
In argument Similes are like songs in love: They must describe; they nothing prove.— PRIOR — Alma. Canto III.