CONTROVERSY

Edwards, Tryon
Most controversies would soon be ended, if those engaged in them would first accurately define their terms, and then adhere to their definitions.

Hall, Robert
The evils of controversy are transitory, while its benefits are permanent.

Milton, John
There is no learned man but will confess he hath much profited by reading controversies; his senses awakened, his judgment sharpened, and the truth which he holds more firmly established. In logic they teach that contraries laid together more evidently appear; and controversy being permitted, falsehood will appear more false, and truth more true.

Pope, Alexander
What Cicero says of war may be applied to disputing,—it should always be so managed as to remember that the only true end of it is peace.—But generally, disputants are like sportsmen—their whole delight is in the pursuit; and a disputant no more cares for the truth, than the sportsman for the hare.

Robertson, Frederick William
Disagreement is refreshing when two men lovingly desire to compare their views to find out truth.—Controversy is wretched when it is only an attempt to prove another wrong.—Religious controversy does only harm.—It destroys humble inquiry after truth, and throws all the energies into an attempt to prove ourselves right—a spirit in which no man gets at truth.