Isaac Watts Quotes

It is true the orator may make a myriad replica of his own passion out of those who listen to him. But that does not prove he is right or they are not fools.

Sophistry is the fallacy of argument.

If you use a trick in logic, whom can you be tricking other than yourself?

Logic invents as many fallacies as it detects; it is a good weapon, but as liable to be used in a bad as in a good cause.

To be clever in argument is not rationality but rationalization.

Convincing yourself doesn't win an argument.

Neither irony or sarcasm is argument.

Whoever does not philosophize for the sake of philosophy, but rather uses philosophy as a means, is a sophist.

Logic is the art of going wrong with confidence.

Neither irony nor sarcasm is argument.

Sophistry, like poison, is at once detected and nauseated, when presented to us in a concentrated form; but a fallacy which, when stated barely in a few sentences, would not deceive a child, may deceive half the world, if diluted in a quarto volume.

The cure for a fallacious argument is a better argument, not the suppression of ideas.

Analogy cannot serve as proof.

To expect reason is where the fallacy lies.

The trick is, after all, obvious. The Theist takes terms that can apply to sentient life alone, and applies them to the universe at large. He talks about means, that is, the deliberate planning to achieve certain ends, and then says that as there are means there must be ends. Having, unperceived, placed the rabbit in the hat, he is able to bring it forth to the admiration of his audience.

Logic is the art of going wrong with confidence.

Philosophy is an unusually ingenious attempt to think fallaciously.

What men call knowledge, is the reasoned acceptance of false appearances. Wisdom looks behind the veil and sees.

A prudent person, having to do with a designing one, will always distrust most when appearances are fairest.

Proof by analogy is fraud.

You think the shadow is the substance.

Do not turn your back on anyone. You may be painted on one side only.

A liar goes in fine clothes, a liar goes in rags, a liar is a liar, clothes or no clothes.

What you see with your eyes is not necessarily real.