“Anger is never without an Argument, but seldom with a good one.”
Of Anger.
Political, Moral, and Miscellaneous Reflections (1750), Political Thoughts and Reflections
Introductio ad prudentiam: Part II (1727), Gnomologia (1732)
“Anger is never without an Argument, but seldom with a good one.”
Of Anger.
Political, Moral, and Miscellaneous Reflections (1750), Political Thoughts and Reflections
The trial of Charles B. Reynolds for blasphemy (1887)
As quoted in New York Tribune (28 February 1860).
1860s
“Inclination snatches arguments
To make indulgence seem judicious choice.”
Book 1
The Spanish Gypsy (1868)
“Arguments are to be avoided, they are always vulgar and often convincing.”
Variant: I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar and often convincing.
Source: Problems and theories of philosophy, 1949, p. 166–167, as cited in Łukasiewicz, 2016.
“At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.”
1850s, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? (1852)
Context: At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. O! had I the ability, and could reach the nation's ear, I would, to-day, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced.