489 Quotes About Debate

We are scared little mammals with millions of years of evolution telling us to scurry away from anything or anyone who threatens our well-being, but outrage culture gives us a script that we can follow: simply adopt a sneering, angry tone and repeat all of the talking points from our favorite blog or radio show while insisting that anyone who disagrees is crazy, stupid, or evil.

The more you read, the less you sound foolish when you speak.

Whenever we want to combat our enemies, first and foremost we must start by understanding them rather than exaggerating their motives.

The 'pre-emption' versus 'prevention' debate may be a distinction without much difference. The important thing is to have it understood that the United States is absolutely serious. The jihadists have in the past bragged that America is too feeble and corrupt to fight. A lot is involved in disproving that delusion on their part.

So why don't they face us... examine our evidence, debate, talk... act like real historians instead of thought-police? Why shut us out of the media, pass laws against our speaking, persecute us, sue us, and vilify us?

We seldom learn much from someone with whom we agree.

You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic.

Is there any point in public debate in a society where hardly anyone has been taught how to think, while millions have been taught what to think?

One surefire way to fail to overcome an objection is to dismiss it out of hand.