Character and Conduct – 14 July – Argument

ARGUMENT is always a little dangerous.   It often leads to coolness and misunderstandings.   You may gain your argument and lose your friend, which is probably a bad bargain.   If you must argue, admit all you can, but try to show that some point has been overlooked.   Very few people know when they have had the worst of an argument, and if they do, they do not like it.   Moreover, if they know they are beaten, it does not follow that they are convinced.   Indeed it is perhaps hardly going too far to say that it is very little use trying to convince any one by argument.  State your case as clearly and concisely as possible, and if you shake his confidence in his own opinion it is as much as you can expect.   It is the first step gained.

Lord AVEBURY

SPEAK fitly, or be silent wisely.

GEORGE HERBERT

AFTER speech silence is the greatest power in the world.

LACORDAIRE

IT is better to remain silent than to speak the truth ill-humouredly, and so spoiling an excellent dish by covering it with bad sauce.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES

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These quotes are from ‘Character and Conduct’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.

Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1905 as a follow up to her volume of Daily Readings for members of the Being and Doing Guild who asked for an additional volume

In her preface Whishaw writes:

‘This collection of noble thoughts expressed by men and women of past and present ages who have endeavoured to leave the world a little better than they found it.’

It is my hope in publishing them here readers may be inspired to imitate the example of the authors.