When you have the facts on your side, argue the facts. When you have the law on your side, argue the law. When you have neither, holler.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of using appropriate arguments depending on one's situation.
Al Gore's quote reflects the idea that effective argumentation relies on the facts and legal principles available. When facts or legal standing can support a position, those should be the focus of the argument. However, in the absence of both, one may resort to more emotional appeals, indicated humorously by the suggestion to 'holler', highlighting the often frustrating nature of debate when one lacks solid ground.
In practice
A lawyer could use this quote during a courtroom session to emphasize how they will approach their case.
Global warming is real and human activity is the main cause. The consequences are mainly negative and headed toward catastrophic, unless we act. However, the good news is that we can meet this challenge. It is not too late, and we have everything we need to get started.
The climate crisis is not a political issue; it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest opportunity to lift global consciousness to a higher level.
I think it's harder for people than it should be. But as more and more of us become carbon neutral and change the patterns in our lives to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem, we are now beginning to see the changes in policy that are needed.
We have a planetary emergency. We have to find a way to create, in the generation of those alive today, a sense of generational mission.
CO2 is the exhaling breath of our civilization, literally... Changing that pattern requires a scope, a scale, a speed of change that is beyond what we have done in the past.
Well-established theories collapse under the weight of new facts and observations which cannot be explained, and then accumulate to the point where the once useful theory is clearly obsolete.
Truly, if faith is there, the believer cannot hold back... he breaks out into good works.
Truth has to be given in riddles. People can't take truth if it comes charging at them like a bull. The bull is always killed. You have to give people the truth in a riddle, hide it so they go looking for it and find it piece by piece; that way they learn to live with it.
High thoughts must have high language.
A good liar knows that the most efficient lie is always a truth that has had a key piece removed from it.
Pain serves a purpose. Without it you are in danger. What you cannot feel you cannot take care of.
Follow your instincts. That's where true wisdom manifests itself.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.