Before impugning an opponent's motives, even when they legitimately may be impugned, answer his arguments.
Interpretation
It's important to address the arguments of others before questioning their intentions.
This quote highlights the value of engaging with the rational aspects of a debate rather than descending into personal attacks. By prioritizing discussion about the arguments presented, we foster a more respectful and productive dialogue, which enables a deeper understanding and resolution of disagreements.
In practice
During a political debate, one might quote this to encourage focusing on policies rather than personal attacks.
A liberal education will impart an awareness of the amazing and precious complexity of human relationships. Since those relationships are violated more often out of insensitiveness than out of deliberate intent, whatever increases sensitiveness of perception and understanding humanizes life.
Everyone recognizes a distinction between knowledge and wisdom. . . Wisdom is a kind of knowledge. It is knowledge of the nature, career, and consequences of human values. Since these cannot be separated from the human organism and the social scene, the moral ways of man cannot be understood without knowledge of the ways of things and institutions.
In contrast to totalitarianism, democracy can face and live with the truth about itself.
Tolerance always has limits - it cannot tolerate what is itself actively intolerant.
Idealism, alas, does not protect one from ignorance, dogmatism, and foolishness.
The easiest rationalization for the refusal to seek the truth is the denial that truth exists.
I don't believe in elitism. I don't think the audience is this dumb person lower than me. I am the audience.
White people’s number one freedom, in the United States of America, is the freedom to be totally ignorant of those who are other than white. We don’t have to learn about those who are other than white. And our number two freedom is the freedom to deny that we’re ignorant.
When a man finds that it is his destiny to suffer, he will have to accept his suffering as his task. . . . He will have to acknowledge the fact that even in suffering he is unique and alone in the universe. No one can relieve him of his suffering or suffer in his place. His unique opportunity lies in the way in which he bears his burden.
Ever since the economic crisis in 2008, millions of people have accepted cuts in all sorts of things - from real wages and living standards to benefits and hospital care - without any real opposition. The cuts may be right, or they may be stupid - but the astonishing thing is how no-one really challenges them.
God, so atrocious in the Old Testament, so attractive in the New--the Jekyl and Hyde of sacred romance.
Sinners cannot obey the gospel, any more than the law, without renewal of heart.
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