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  ...either checked or forced beyond a certain point. They can be held in check more safely than they can be hurried. They can also be killed; and one of the surest ways to kill them is to try to hurry them.
The more unpopular an opinion is, the more necessary is it that the holder should be somewhat punctilious in his observance of conventionalities generally, and that, if possible, he should get the reputation of being well-to-do in the world.
Arguments are not so good as assertion. Arguments are like fire-arms which a man may keep at home but should not carry about with him.   Indirect assertion, leaving the hearer to point the inference, is, as a rule, to be preferred. The one great argument with most people is that another should think this or that. The reasons of the belief are details and, in nine cases out of ten, best omitted as confusing and weakening the general impression.
Many, if not most, good ideas die young--mainly from neglect on the part of the parents, but sometimes from over-fondness. Once well started, an opinion had better be left to...   Butler, Samuel

Excerpt from The Note-Books of Samuel Butler · This quote is about argument · Search on Google Books to find all references and sources for this quotation.

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