Debates Quotes

I am grateful for even the sharpest criticism as long as it addresses the point.

Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate.

It is true that everything has been said, but not everyone has said it.

The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.

In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion

Figures won’t lie but liars will figure.

The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum - even encourage the more critical and dissident views. That gives people the sense that there's free thinking going on, while all the time the presuppositions of the system are being reinforced by the limits put on the range of the debate.

I've covered a lot of presidential campaigns.

A soft answer turns away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger ;, .d. oratory;, .d. anger;, .d. debate;, A soft answer turns away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger

If attacked on some vulnerable point by anyone or anything or any organization, always find or manufacture enough threat against them to cause them to sue peace ... Don't ever defend. Always attack.

The enemies of freedom do not argue; they shout and they shoot.

Silence is sometimes an argument of Consent.

Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose.

There is no equality between that which is right and that which is wrong.

The hardest thing about a presidential election is how to win without proving that you are unworthy of winning.

I am interested in the Panama Canal because I started it. If I had followed traditional, conservative methods I would have presented a dignified state paper to Congress and the debates on it would have been going on yet; but I took the Canal Zone and let Congress debate; and while the debate goes on the Canal does also.

Treating your adversary with respect is giving him an advantage to which he is not entitled.

Conventional wisdom

Everything has been said but not everyone has yet said it.

Sovereignty and kingship are never decided by academic debate. They are seized by force.

Honest difference of views and honest debate are not disunity. They are the vital process of policy among free men.

If I had two faces, do you think I would be wearing this one.

Arguments that prove too much prove nothing.

[Describing a presidential campaign:] A three year diet of rubber chicken and occasional crow.

All of us try to persuade our fellow citizens to see our point of view and that is the way public opinion is created in a democracy. It seems to me, however, we might achieve our aim with a little less violent invective and blackening of the individual character, for on both sides motives are probably good. The real difference is in the methods that are advocate.