Thoughts of Argument Quotes in English with Image

Argument quotes in English serve as potent instruments for articulating strong opinions and influencing audiences effectively. These quotations, frequently sourced from renowned figures, influential leaders, or significant literary works, distill intricate concepts and philosophies into brief, impactful statements. They carry weight because of the authority and credibility of their origins, allowing speakers and writers to convey their arguments with greater resonance and clarity.

Here’s a list of quotes about arguments, along with detailed explanations and examples:


1. "An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind." – Mahatma Gandhi

  • Meaning: This quote warns against retaliation. Engaging in arguments or revenge-based responses only perpetuates conflict and harm.

  • Example: If two friends are arguing over a misunderstanding and one decides to “get back” at the other, this quote advises against escalating the conflict, suggesting instead that they seek reconciliation.


2. "The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress." – Joseph Joubert

  • Meaning: Arguments should focus on understanding and improvement rather than proving oneself right. Winning isn’t as valuable as finding a productive resolution.

  • Example: In a debate with a coworker about how to approach a project, instead of focusing on proving your idea is best, this quote suggests working toward a solution that combines both viewpoints to make real progress.


3. "In the moment of argument, the truth is lost." – David Bohm

  • Meaning: When emotions run high in an argument, it’s easy to lose sight of the actual issue. Arguments often cloud the truth rather than reveal it.

  • Example: If a couple begins arguing over a small issue and it spirals into unrelated complaints, this quote highlights how the real issue gets lost when arguments escalate emotionally.


4. "You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to." – Unknown

  • Meaning: This quote suggests that not every confrontation requires your engagement. Sometimes, walking away or choosing silence is more powerful.

  • Example: If a coworker tries to provoke you with a rude comment, this quote reminds you that you can choose to ignore it instead of fueling the negativity.


5. "Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret." – Ambrose Bierce

  • Meaning: This quote warns against arguing while angry. Words spoken in anger can be hurtful and difficult to take back.

  • Example: If someone says something hurtful in an argument with a family member, this quote reminds them that their words might leave a lasting negative impact, advising them to calm down before responding.


6. "The problem with yelling in an argument is that it makes the truth hard to hear." – Unknown

  • Meaning: Raising voices in arguments often makes it more difficult for either person to hear each other’s perspectives. Calm, respectful discussion is more effective.

  • Example: During a disagreement with a friend, if voices start to raise, this quote reminds both sides that yelling will only create more misunderstanding.


7. "Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." – Mark Twain

  • Meaning: This quote warns against engaging in pointless arguments, especially with someone unreasonable, as it can make both parties look foolish.

  • Example: If a stranger is being argumentative and unreasonable in public, this quote reminds you to avoid engaging, as it might reflect poorly on both of you.


8. "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." – Proverbs 15:1

  • Meaning: Responding calmly and kindly can help defuse anger, whereas responding harshly only intensifies it.

  • Example: If a friend is upset and accusing you of something, this quote suggests that replying in a gentle tone could calm the situation rather than arguing back defensively.


9. "The best way to win an argument is to avoid it." – Dale Carnegie

  • Meaning: The best way to handle many arguments is simply not to engage. Winning isn’t always about proving someone wrong, but about maintaining peace.

  • Example: In a discussion where things are becoming tense, this quote advises choosing to stop the argument altogether rather than trying to "win."


10. "The purpose of argument is to change the nature of truth." – Frank Herbert

  • Meaning: This quote suggests that arguments should ideally lead to a deeper understanding, evolving one’s perception of the truth rather than stubbornly holding onto one version of it.

  • Example: In a philosophical debate, this quote implies that the goal is for both people to come away with an expanded perspective rather than rigidly defending their own beliefs.


11. "A smart person knows what to say. A wise person knows whether or not to say it." – Unknown

  • Meaning: This quote emphasizes discretion and timing. Even if you have a valid point in an argument, it might be wise to keep it to yourself to avoid unnecessary conflict.

  • Example: If you have a critical observation in a heated family discussion, this quote suggests thinking carefully about whether sharing it would help or hurt the situation.


12. "When you argue with reality, you lose 100% of the time." – Byron Katie

  • Meaning: This quote advises accepting things as they are rather than arguing against the facts. Denying reality leads to frustration and unnecessary conflict.

  • Example: If someone is upset about a change they can’t control, this quote encourages them to focus on adjusting to it rather than being angry about something unchangeable.


13. "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." – Aristotle

  • Meaning: This quote advises that in arguments, we should be open-minded enough to consider others’ viewpoints without necessarily agreeing.

  • Example: In a political discussion, this quote suggests listening to the other side’s opinions respectfully, without feeling obligated to agree, to foster mutual understanding.


14. "Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument." – Desmond Tutu

  • Meaning: Instead of getting louder in arguments, focus on refining your reasoning and making stronger points to communicate effectively.

  • Example: In a debate, if someone disagrees with your viewpoint, this quote suggests concentrating on explaining your perspective calmly rather than arguing louder.


These quotes offer a range of insights on handling arguments with patience, wisdom, and perspective, highlighting the value of calm communication, open-mindedness, and choosing battles wisely.

For example, Franklin D. Roosevelt's famous assertion, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," is emblematic of the necessity for resilience and courage in the face of hardship and uncertainty. This quote not only encapsulates a historical context but also serves as a timeless reminder that fear can often be more paralyzing than the challenges we face. It encourages individuals and societies alike to confront difficult situations with bravery and determination, reinforcing the notion that overcoming internal obstacles is crucial to achieving external success.

Similarly, George Orwell's poignant remark, "In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act," highlights the profound ethical responsibility to uphold honesty during periods of widespread misinformation or moral ambiguity. This statement resonates deeply in contemporary discourse, emphasizing that integrity and truthfulness are vital components of social justice and political activism. By framing honesty as a revolutionary act, Orwell not only critiques the status quo but also inspires individuals to take a stand against deception, paving the way for meaningful change.

Incorporating such impactful quotes into rhetoric not only amplifies persuasive effectiveness but also offers a robust framework for constructing compelling arguments across various platforms, including debates, essays, and discussions. The strategic use of argument quotes can enhance the emotional appeal of a speaker's or writer's position, making their messages not only more relatable but also more memorable. By weaving these eloquent expressions into their narratives, speakers and writers can significantly strengthen their stances, thereby fostering a deeper engagement with their audience. Through this integration, the use of argument quotes becomes an essential strategy in the art of persuasion, enriching the dialogue and inspiring critical reflection among listeners and readers alike.

Thought of the day Argument

When you have no basis for an argument, abuse the plaintiff.

- Marcus Tullius Cicero Thoughts

It's hard to win an argument with a smart person, but it'd damn near impossible to win an argument with a stupid person.

- Bill Murray Download or Share

Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using his intelligence, he is just using his memory.

- Leonardo da Vinci

If two men on the same job agree all the time, then one is useless. If they disagree all the time, both are useless.

- Darryl F. Zanuck

With reasonable men I will reason; with humane men I wil plea; but to tyrants I will give no quarter, nor waste arguments where they will certainly be lost.

- William Lloyd Garrison

Good critical thinkers compose their own arguments, subject them to critical analysis, and use what they;ve learned from this critical analysis to compose new and better arguments.

George W. Rainbolt

I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent.  People know this, and steer clear of me at parties.  Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don't even invite me.

- Dave Barry

When you claim that someone is making a bad argument, you're either constructing an argument to show that someone else's argument fails the true premises test or constructing an argument to show that the other person's argument fails the proper from test.

George W. Rainbolt

The most important thing in an argument, next to being right, is to leave an escape hatch for your opponent, so that he can gracefully swing over to your side without too much apparent loss of face.

- Sydney J. Harris

It is never ridicule, but a compliment that knocks a philosopher off his feet. He is already positioned for every possible counter-attack, counter-argument, and retort... only to find a big bear hug coming his way.

Criss Jami

Argument Quotes List

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up. 

- Argument Quotes by Donald Rumsfeld

Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.

- Argument Quotes by Donald Rumsfeld Download or Share

Arguments are often like melodramas, they have a predictable beginning, middle, and end. 

- Argument Quotes by Gay Hendricks

Arguments are often like melodramas, they have a predictable beginning, middle, and end.

- Argument Quotes by Gay Hendricks Download or Share

Arguments are to be avoided: they are always vulgar and often convincing. 

- Argument Quotes by Oscar Wilde

Arguments are to be avoided: they are always vulgar and often convincing.

- Argument Quotes in English by Oscar Wilde Download or Share

Behind every argument is someone’s ignorance.

- Louis Brandeis

Behind every argument is someone’s ignorance.

- Louis Brandeis Quotation

Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute.

- Josh Billings Quotes

Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute.

- A Quotation From Josh Billings

As you watch an argumentative tennis match, you need to keep track of where the ball is. 

- George W. Rainbolt

As you watch an argumentative tennis match, you need to keep track of where the ball is.

- George W. Rainbolt

I think the biggest mistake I made was this wretched ability to see both sides of an argument. 

- John Major

I think the biggest mistake I made was this wretched ability to see both sides of an argument.

- John Major

Men’s arguments often prove nothing but their wishes.

- Charles Caleb Corton

Men’s arguments often prove nothing but their wishes.

- Charles Caleb Corton

To be clever in argument is not rationality but rationalization.

- Eliezer Yudkowsky

He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.

- Michel de Montaigne

It's amazing how far the arguments can go.

- Patrick Doyle

The argument is at an end.

- Saint Augustine

There's no winning arguments with your parents.

- Wendelin Van Draanen

Behind every argument is someone's ignorance.

- Louis D. Brandeis

Critical thinkers choose beliefs based on good arguments.

George W. Rainbolt

It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.

- William G. McAdoo

Sometimes, silence is the best way to win an argument.

- Jorge P. Guerrero

For they are yet ear-kissing arguments.

- William Shakespeare

Behind every argument is someone's ignorance.

- Louis D. Brandeis

If an argument has a valid argument form, then if its premises are true, its conclusion must also be true.

William Hughes

Discussion is an exchange of knowledge, argument an exchange of ignorance.

- Robert Quillen

Winning an argument is losing it as it makes the loser feel bad.

- Deepak Chopra

The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.

- Dale Carnegie

Beware of long arguments and long beards.

- George Santayana

A mature society understands that at the heart of democracy is argument.

- Salman Rushdie

The best way I know of to win an argument is to start by being in the right.

- Lord Quintin Hogg

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

- Andre Maurois

There’s nothing I like less than bad arguments for a view that I hold dear.

- Daniel Dennett

A valid argument form is any set of truth-functional statements such that every argument with that form is a valid argument.

William Hughes

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

- Edgar Watson Howe

The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.

- Joseph Joubert

The less sound a man's argument, the louder he talks.

Evan Esar

Anger is never without an argument, but seldom with a good one.

- Indira Gandhi

The thing I hate about an argument is that it always interrupts a discussion.

- G. K. Chesterton

Arguments are extremely vulgar, for everyone in good society holds exactly the same opinion.

- Oscar Wilde

Argument need not be heated; it can be punctuated with courteous smiles,or sympathetic tears.

- J. Sidlow Baxter

Argument is between two sides or individuals, never say silly to your friend because he/she never argue on oneself.

- Wilson M. Mukama

Arguments cannot be answered by personal abuse; there is no logic in slander, and falsehood, in the long run, defeats itself.

- Robert G. Ingersoll

The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments.

- Friedrich Nietzsche Quotes

When you have no basis for an argument, abuse the plaintiff.

- Marcus Tullius Cicero *

The argument of the strongest is always the best.

- Jean De La Fontaine

The argument of the broken window pane is the most valuable argument in modern politics.

- Emmeline Pankhurst

Women get the last word in every argument. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

- Anonymous

Hear one side and you will be in the dark. Hear both and all will be clear.

- Thomas C. Haliburton

That awkward moment when you're in a middle of an argument & you realize you're wrong.

- Anonymous

I'd rather lose an argument than get into a long discussion in order to win it.

- Rafael Nadal

No sensible man ever engages, unprepared, in a fencing match of words with a woman.

- Wilkie Collins

It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them.

- Pierre Beaumarchais

In a heated argument we are apt to lose sight of the truth.

- Publilius Syrus

Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause.

- Victor Hugo

Arguing is the olympics of talking.

- Stewart Stafford

Men argue, nature acts.

- Voltaire

It takes two to quarrel, but only one to end it.

- Spanish Proverb

Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours.

- Richard Bach

People generally quarrel because they cannot argue.

- Gilbert K. Chesterton

Never argue when you're winning.

- Laurell K. Hamilton

It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them.

- Pierre De Beaumarchais

Fear not those who argue but those who dodge.

- Marie Ebner-Eschenbach

Argument Sayings in English

That's the beauty of argument, if you argue correctly, you're never wrong.

- Christopher Buckley

Weakness on both sides is the motto of all quarrels.

- Voltaire

There can be no progress without head-on confrontation.

- Christopher Hitchens

I'd rather lose an argument to you, than lose you to an argument.

- Anonymous

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

- Edward Gibbon

Any woman who is sure of her own wits, is a match, at any time, for a man who is not sure of his own temper.

Wilkie Collins

Listening to both sides to the story will convince you that there is more to a story than both sides.

- Frank Tyger

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

- Andre Maurois

Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.

John Milton

My parents only had one argument in forty-five years.  it lasted forty-three years.

- Cathy Ladman

An argument is like a country road, you never know where it is going to lead.

- Anonymous

You never need an argument against the use of violence, you need an argument for it.

- Noam Chomsky

The less you say, the more weight your words will carry.

Leigh Bardugo

Exhausting someone in argument is not the same as convincing him

- Tim Kreider

Don't argue. Never deign to deny. Meet insults with laughter.

Leigh Bardugo

Without contraries is no progression. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence.

William Blake

If you go in for argument, take care fo your temper.  Your logic, if yu have any, will take care of itself.

- Joseph Farrell

It's not about whether or not someone is a bigot, but whether or not the argument which that someone is arguing is worth being a bigot about.

Criss Jami

There is hardly a better way to avoid discussion than by releasing an argument from the control of the present and by saying that only the future will reveal its merits.

Hannah Arendt

I don't pretend to know everything; I just only speak on matters I know I'll win.

Criss Jami

You cannot reason people out of a position that they did not reason themselves into.

Ben Goldacre

Argument Sayings

Argument is meant to reveal the truth, not to create it. 

- Argument Quotes by Edward de Bono

Argument is meant to reveal the truth, not to create it.

- Argument Quotes by Edward de Bono Download or Share

Arguments, like men, are often pretenders. 

- Argument Quotes by Plato

Arguments, like men, are often pretenders.

- Argument Quotes by Plato Download or Share

The argument from Intimidation is a confession of intellectual impotence.

- Argument Quotes by Ayn Rand

The argument from Intimidation is a confession of intellectual impotence.

- Argument Thought by Ayn Rand Download or Share

A long dispute means that both parties are wrong.

- Argument Quotes by Voltaire

A long dispute means that both parties are wrong.

Voltaire Download or Share

A man lives by believing something: not by debating and arguing about many things.

Thomas Carlyle Download or Share

He who strikes the first below admits he's lost the argument.

Chinese Proverb Download or Share

Be calm in arguing for fierceness makes error a fault and truth discourtesy.

George Herbert Download or Share

Arguments have no chance against petrified training; they wear it as little as the waves wear a cliff.

Mark Twain Download or Share

Use soft words and hard arguments.

- Argument Quote by English Proverb Download or Share

The best way to win an argument is to begin by being right.

Jill Ruckelshaus Download or Share

You can not control the thought, but you can control the tongue.

- Amit Kalantri Download or Share

Clear statement is argument.

- W.G.T. Shedo Download or Share

Most quarrels amplify a misunderstanding.

- Andre Gide Download or Share