Argue Gracefully
Argue Gracefully
October 6th
“But shall they argue, indeed, and then not take pains to avoid conducting themselves recklessly and at haphazard in an argument? And if they do not, how will they any longer be the sort of person we think they are?”
—Epictetus
Discourses
How often in your own life have you entered into an argument and, in the heat of the moment, lost sight of the purpose, or worse, who you are?
This quote is a reminder by Epictetus to stay true to yourself and your values, even when in the throes of heated discussions.
Recklessness in argument strains relationships and distorts perceptions of us. What's the point of winning an argument if it takes behaving in a way that makes us lose respect for ourselves?
Balancing passion in your point of view, while keeping a steady compass on your character, is an invaluable practice in the realm of daily discourse.
The question is—are you ready to maintain that balance?
